New Jersey rapper Fatboi Sharif and New York producer LoneSword have connected for a hypnotic, futuristic project called Cyber City Society. Following up Sharif's previous album— the eccentric, vivid Gandhi Loves Children— this EP provides a set of mind-expanding tracks that are sonically immersive and lyrically encyclopedic.
"Acid Rain" sets the tone for the EP concisely with a disorienting, spacey intro before adding in apocalyptic samples underscored by clunky percussion. Aptly conjuring an image of a bleak, futuristic cityscape, "Acid Rain" immerses the listener in its chilling atmosphere and provides a suitable foundation for Sharif's dark, off-the-wall lyricism and twisting flow. Next, "Plastered"'s sickly, layered samples weave together hypnotically, creating a web of eerie, thought-provoking sounds. As Sharif delivers abstract verses packed with vivid, absurdist lyrics, the song swallows up the listener in its concoction of dark surrealism, transporting them away from reality.
"Crescent Moon" and "Monster Theme" find Sharif and LoneSword sharing a natural chemistry with some skilled guests, namely SCVTTERBRVIN on the former and L.I.F.E. Long on the latter. On "Crescent Moon," LoneSword's nightmarish production rings out ominously, creating a minimalistic backdrop that suits Sharif and SCVTTERBRVIN's eclectic flows well. Here, the two rappers trade descriptively dissociative verses before a beat switch brings in a cacophonous, noisy soundscape that mirrors the chaos of a city's subway systems. This track then transitions smoothly into "Monster's Theme", which brings in cartoonish, spacey samples that build beneath Sharif and L.I.F.E. Long's colorful verses. The back-and-forth between the two rappers is captivating, as they spar atop the metallic instrumental with electrifying lyricism. Lastly, closer "Adolescence" brings in a mercurial soundscape from LoneSword crafted entirely from city sounds, as Sharif delivers evocative poetry atop that feels richly personal, while simultaneously sharply critiquing society and its ills.
Overall, Cyber City Society is a boundary-pushing EP from Fatboi Sharif and LoneSword that provides a hearty dose of personality and character that feels necessary in today's musical landscape. Containing some evocatively eclectic production and some of the most descriptive and creative lyricism in recent memory, this project tests the limits of hip-hop while still remaining sonically true to its roots. On this EP, it feels as though Fatboi Sharif and LoneSword's creative boundaries know no limits, more than enough reason to make us excited for what could come next from them.
