Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025

Public Enemy digitally issued Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025 with no advance warning, similar to the way Nothing Is Quick in the Desert was surprise-released in 2017. Unlike that album, however, Black Sky Over the Projects wasnt a limited-time download, and it was eventually given a physical release. The effort appears five years after PEs Def Jam-issued, guest-heavy What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?, and mere months after Chuck D appeared on the same label with Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon. That album remarkably seemed like a return to the freewheeling experimentation of PEs early, Bomb Squad-produced releases, and while Black Sky Over the Projects covers similar ground, musically and lyrically, its actually a bit more streamlined and accessible than Radio Armageddon. The album can generally be described as the sort of revolutionary party music PE have been making since the beginning, with songs like "Confusion (Here Come the Drums)" referencing the groups past work, and "Cmon Get Down" reminding listeners about the fundamentals of hip-hop. As on Radio Armageddon, Chuck D addresses the age gap between himself and raps younger generations, and voices concerns about A.I., school shootings, and the direction in which society is heading. The dense, busy production is solid throughout, leaning heavily on psychedelic and acid rock grooves while throwing in diversions such as a flickering drumnbass interlude and a jazzy breakdown. Flavor Flav takes the lead over the swaggering boom-bap drums of "Messy Hens" and "Public Enemy Comin Throoooo," which unsurprisingly are the most fun tracks on the album. The whole record is enjoyable, showing that the veteran rap crew havent lost their energy 40 years into their career. ~ Paul Simpson

伝説的なグループの約5年ぶりとなる新作。ハードなギター・リフをあしらったノイジーな冒頭曲"Siick"からチャックDとフレイヴァー・フレイヴが絶妙なコンビネーションを聴かせて病んだ現実社会に警鐘を鳴らし、曲のラストではいとうせいこうのトークも引用。"Messy Hens"を筆頭にブレのないスタイルで往時の勢いを思わせる楽曲が並んでいる。
bounce (C)Masso 187um