Spilligion

In the years following the 2010 formation of Atlanta-based collective Spillage Village, most of its membership went on to significant achievements of their own. Core members EarthGang and JID each found huge success with their boundary-pushing approaches to rapping and production, and additional members 6LACK, Hollywood JB, and Mereba also stayed active with well-received projects of their own. The collective went dormant after their 2016 album Bears Like This Too Much as its different components worked on their respective solo careers, but they come back together stronger than ever with fourth album Spilligion. The record is loosely centered around themes of religion and spirituality, with a mystical atmosphere heavy on biblical references and nods to the way religion and society intersect. The OutKast-informed musical versatility that EarthGang exhibited on their albums carries over to Spilligion, with songs incorporating a wide range of styles and approaches. The Mereba-led PsalmSing is a floating and mellow blend of R&B bass, soaring choral vocals, and gentle acoustic instruments, interrupted midway by demonic pitch-shifted rapping. Mecca pairs a roots reggae rhythm with belted classic rock vocals, eerie group choruses, and JIDs always slippery flows. The tunes that lean more towards traditional rap arrangements are some of the albums best, with the detailed production of Baptize and End of Daze tying together strong beats, Andre 3000-esque wordplay, and sophisticated instrumentals. Spilligion rarely stays in one musical gear, and its final tracks Hapi and Jupiter are made up largely of melancholy piano figures, acoustic guitar, and expressive group vocals. The albums religious themes eventually fade into the background, outshined by the depths of creativity and curiosity brought out by the collective chemistry of Spillage Village. Spilligion is a boundless synthesis of styles and ideas that never gets too serious. Even at an uncommonly high level of social commentary, intricate production, and risk-taking songwriting choices, the songs remain warm, listenable, and communicative. ~ Fred Thomas

J・コール率いるドリームヴィル所属の、アースギャングとJ.I.Dらによるコレクティヴのデビュー作。そのアースギャングのスタイルに顕著なように、ヒップホップをベースにソウルやファンクからゴスペルまでさまざまな音楽の要素をごちゃ混ぜにし、生楽器も用いたサウンドやフリーキーなMC陣の掛け合い、コーラス・ワークはアウトキャスト～ダンジョン・ファミリーの如し。チャンス・ザ・ラッパーやアリ・レノックスらも参加。
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