Since his debut album in 2016, rapper and producer JoeJas has been defying any rigid confinement of genres with each release, and his latest: ‘The Left Handed Bandit’ is no exception.
With a range of RnB, hip hop, jazz and even rock influences, this is an eclectic collection of songs that bear soul and tell a story all while ensuring you’re having fun. JoeJas proves yet again, he can deliver the elements typical of each genre as well as making them all his own.
Seen throughout his work with his company ‘Fat Llama’; from his music and art shows to clothing and more – JoeJas is a very multi-faceted artist, and this translates within his sound, as well as through presentation of the album. Accompanied with an entirely self-produced five-part series on YouTube, as well as two music videos, there is a clear vision behind ‘The Left Handed Bandit’ which was executed in such a fresh and engaging way.
The album possesses a wide-ranging sound that is busy yet cohesive, with a rawer sounding percussion consistently layered throughout each track that contrasts the heavy production that dominates the album. Although some sections feel slightly out of place and disjointed, nothing is that jarring and is overall well-rounded – maintaining momentum from opening track ‘A Bandit’s Intro’ to the closing on the same high with ‘WiiiZARD POOLS’.
Even with a runtime of just over 20 minutes, with such a dynamic sound the album has something for everyone – showcasing JoeJas’ versatile artistry.
While every track has really grown on me after a couple of listens, there were some initial particular stand-out moments, such as the entirely unique ‘RUN?!’ – a high-energy tune that features heavy guitars due to its rock-inspired sound. The more jazz-influenced piano-led interlude ‘Planet’s Masked Appearance’ and laid-back tracks; the eponymous ‘Left Handed Bandit’ and ‘Push Slow’ were also highlights for me.
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