I must thank Jaymes Bowman (Young Braised) for introducing me to “cloud rap”, a genre defined by ethereal beats and abstract lyricism.
On his follow up to 2013’s most excellent Japanese Tendencies, Bowman gives us the darker side of cloud rap, where songs flow like phosphorescence on an evening wave.
Featuring production by Karmelloz and a i r s p o r t s, the album keeps a steady, opalescent feel, touching on hot and heavy subjects like masculinity, complicity and food – “Casserole”, featuring the line, “casserole with no mittens, can’t handle me”, is bound to be 2015’s self-love slogan.
Songs like "Middle Class Homie Quan" and "Daydrift" sparkle like Vancouver's skyline at night.
If Northern Reflections is any indication, Braised is a multifaceted artist, well on his way to being the master of chill.
Rating: ★★★★
