Loui Grandson’s new EP, "MiddleMan," is like a breath of fresh air with its at times unadulterated honesty and soul. Six tracks totaling 13 minutes and 49 seconds, the album leans heavily on some classic sampling combined with unfiltered emotion, a combination that expertly showcases the highs, lows and contradictions of attempting to make it as an artist today.
From the get go, "MiddleMan" seems a cultural critique intertwined with a personal confession. Loui Grandson narrates the grind of everyday life, and the mind wrestle that comes from pursuing a dream in an industry filled with gatekeepers and fickle trends. His particular lumbering flow meshes classic hip-hop textures with poignant storytelling, producing a past but also future-gazing landscape.
Standouts like “Dat Feel” arrive with a groove that’s instantly gripping, the smooth rhythm and down-to-earth lyricism hit home for anyone who’s ever questioned their place in life. “Wannabeez” is a shot at the culture contemporary fame, and “Still An Hermit” provides a reflective to the EP, detailing the artist’s internal battle between isolation and ambition. Loui Grandson’s voice is authentically difficult to ignore, speaking to the soul of any creative residing smack dab in between expression and expectation.
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