By The Throat is the third full-length from the dynamic Minnesota duo Eyedea (r.i.p.) and DJ Abilities. A departure from the prior Golden-era influenced works, as the MC-DJ/producer team opts for a rougher around the edge, guitar-and-distorted-drums-driven sound. Fittingly, Eyedea takes a more reflective, emotionally charge approach to writing lyrics, and interspersed among his on-point raps are occasional singing from the rapper, a bold and innovative move considering that such emo style has become so prevalent in hip-hop now. Check out "Junk," a track driven by a fat, biting bassline and hard-hitting drums, or "Burn Fetish," which features a very memorable & melodic chorus: "empathy is the poor man's cocaine." "By the Throat" and "Smile" are other standouts, and props to Abilities for the killer production and cuts.

• 10-year anniversary edition
• watercolor swirl vinyl
• wrapped art parker jacket w/ film lamination
• printed sleeve & insert w/ full album lyrics
• music label: Rhymesayers 2009 / 2020

reviewed by singing in japanese 03/2020