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SMITH.b, the dynamic, 26-year-old, Huntington, West Virginia-based rapper-producer-videographer-photographer, has dropped an album that’s a sonic anomaly in the Kyova tri-state area. SPIN is an industrial, spacey exploration of a young artist’s journey to find his footing in both his city and the wider world.
The album blasts off with “Speedy Thing Go In, Speedy Thing Come Out,” a psychedelic industrial track with introspective lyrics that sets the tone for the cosmic trip ahead. “Autopilot (as a treat)” follows suit with a boom-bap-inspired experimental beat and rapid-fire lyrics that may seem nonsensical at first, but perhaps that’s the point. While I found it somewhat difficult to follow along with the machine gun flows, I have no doubt in my mind that the abstract lyrics have a deep meaning to the artist and upon further listens I will discover those meanings.
“Coworker” takes a turn with a weird, experimental, percussive beat and lyrics describing a painful interaction with a coworker, ending with vocal samples that tie the experimental production together and provide the listener with a legitimate earworm. “Stasis” delves into darker territory with a looped jazzy beat and introspective lyrics about lost friends and various other topics, featuring hard-hitting lines like “all my dead friends wear secret skin” and “my margins can be thin especially when bartering kin.”
“A/C” and “Leash” provide a brief respite before “Regarding Why I Dipped Before Your Set” explores the artist’s lack of money to spend while out at a show, and boredom with the local music scene and his preference for solitude. He reflects on when he used to be better at social interactions.
“Handles” and “Stat Boost” bring back the energy with boppy beats and distorted samples, while “Live! After the Ninth Scar!” offers another thought-provoking, trippy interlude.
“Chell” is a standout track that had me bobbing my head pretty hard, with a soulful, Kanye-esque beat complete with nice variations on the beat and lyrics about healing and self-discovery, as well as lines like “hubris is huge” and “it’s about the journey not the destination, truth”.
“Cleaning the Space ” showcases the artist’s impressive ebbing-and-flowing over a consistently smooth beat, rising in intensity and falling into emotion.
Overall, SMITH.b’s album is a forward-thinking project that utilizes a variety of sounds and styles. The industrial and spacey vibes create a unique atmosphere unique to the Kyova region, while the lyrics delve into personal struggles, observations, and ambitions similarly unique to our region. It’s clear that SMITH.b is a talented artist with a vision, and this album is a testament to his potential.
While some tracks may feel disjointed, and the experimental nature of the production might not be for everyone, there’s no denying the raw talent and creativity on display. This album is a refreshing departure from the norm, and it’s exciting to see what SMITH.b will create next. If you’re looking for something different, something challenging, and something that pushes the boundaries of hip-hop, give SMITH.b a listen. You might just discover your new favorite West Virginia rapper.