New York’s own looCcaM has emerged as a pioneering force in the realm of experimental rap, and their latest album, “Silence Exile Cunning”, is nothing short of a boundary-breaking masterpiece. This dynamic project is led by the creative genius of Tim Collins on concept, lyrics, and vocals, and his brother Pat Collins on beat production.
What sets looCcaM apart is their fearless experimentation. Indeed, the album boldly weaves together a rich tapestry of influences, ranging from trip-hop to punk rock, science fiction to Russian futurist poetic theory. The result is a thrilling soundscape that seamlessly blends classic NY rap with elements of experimental electronic and punk.
Instrumentally, the album is a triumph of hardware mastery, with Pat’s skill on the MPC taking center stage. The release expertly fuses the classic low-fi, sample-based boom-bap aesthetic with futuristic elements like 808s, alien drum programming, and synth arrangements. This unique marriage of old and new creates a sonic experience that is at once nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Yet, it’s in the lyrics where looCcaM truly shines. Drawing inspiration from rap luminaries such as MF Doom and Ghostface Killah, as well as avant-garde poetic traditions like futurism, Dada, surrealism, language poetry, sound poetry, and the beatniks, the Collins brothers craft a mesmerizing “wall of rhyme” filled with surreal and cubist imagery. The album’s lyrical content is here again a bold experiment that pushes the boundaries of what we traditionally associate with rap, offering a glimpse into a world where words become art.
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many artists to rethink their creative approaches, looCcaM embraced the opportunity to reevaluate their project. Consequently, looCcaM stands as a beacon of innovation and originality and this album reflects their lived experience, etching the essence of grimy NY rap into their very souls.
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