Lex Vinyl & CDs

Review: Pink Siifu and Ahwlee are the rap, neo-soul and r&b duo B. Cool-AID and this is their new album on Lex. Leather Blvd is a woozy and lo-fi late-night trip through a range of narcotic atmospheres. The raps range from slurred and drenched in reverb to more crisp and well-defined as tracks range from short and sweet to epic and sprawling. There is a real intimacy to this record as well as a borrowing from jazz as these tracks unfurl and slowly make their way into your affections. It is another great coming together of this contemporary pair.

Review: A new album that is not a new album. It was written more than 20 years ago but somehow never saw the light of day until now. It is soul and funk-infused hip-hop gem that follows on from Danger Mouse and Jemini's debut LP, Ghetto Pop Life, which itself is 20 years old in 2024. Inspired by the success of that album, Ghetto Pop Life, the duo went out on tour and also wrote Born Again but shelved it until now. The previously unheard record retains the debut's fun-loving, shit-talking innocence while adopting a more introspective tone. Jemini's free-flowing cadence and Danger Mouse's resonant instrumentals create a classic hip-hop record that blends light-hearted topics with personal, poignant lyrics about redemption and relationships.

Review: Filipino artist Idris VicuNa may on the surface be creating homespun and blissed-out soundscapes that blend seasick synths, narcotic surrealism and dreamy melancholia, yet beneath lurks a realm where the personal meets the political, as a self-confessed slacker struggled to adapt to fatherhood whilst living amidst the oppressively right-wing regime of this homeland. At one point this woozy and enchanting sound - somewhere in the realm of the dreamlike psych-pop of Connan Mockasin and the electronic panoramas of Nite Jewel - might have been dubbed 'hypnagogic pop' yet it stands in the here and now as a land of exotic exploration all its own.

Review: Fly Anakin caused quite the stir with his debut album Frank, It was critically acclaimed and lapped up by fans, who will now be delighted to tune into his follow up Skinemaxx. Produciton is taken care of by his fellow Richmond rap collective Mutant Academy member Foisey and there are some top features from Big Kahuna OG, Pink Siifu, ANKHLEJOHN and vocalist Demae. It makes for another high voltage rap record with production that harks back to the hip-hop golden era all toped with the effortlessly smooth flowing bars of Fly Anakin up top.

Review: Kid Acne's 'Hauntology Codes' has been highly anticipated by fans of hip-hop and experimental sounds. Renowned for his unique sound, Kid Acne weaves intricate lyrical narratives with his superb British twang over inventive beats to create a rich sonic landscape. The title suggests a dive into the mysterious and the unexplored and so it proves as he pushes creative boundaries with some guest spots from the likes of King Kashmere, Sonnyjim and Cappo. This one comes on nice sherbert lemon vinyl and is a superb UK-centric hip-hop workout.

Review: The late MF Doom's 2014 collaboration with mic man Bishop Nehru, Nehrudviandoom, remains one of the strongest releases in either artist's catalogue. It was recorded at a time when Nehru was on the cusp of wider success and acclaim, and when Doom was crafting some of the tightest, most adventurous and ear-catching beats of his career. Should you need a reminder of its greatness, check the clips of this "Redux" addition, which cuts out some of the original's numerous short, mixtape-style skits to create a much tighter and on-point mini album. Should you need more persuading to part with your cash, this fresh vinyl edition has been pressed to a superb-looking picture disc in limited numbers.

Review: FlySiifu is a new collaborative project by Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin that aims to reflect the musical community around them. This debut long player brings together the fine styles of two top rappers with extra guests including Liv.e, Foushee and $ILKMONEY backed by beats made from talents such as Madlib, Jay Versace, Ohbliv, Awhlee and Budgie. It makes for attention grabbing music that takes in raps which range from soul to punk, and at times will swell your heart with sweetness, at others get you on edge with their confrontational sound.