DEGIHEUGI & MISCELLANEOUS - Everything's Fine (Vinyl)

"What if we made an EP together'" Miscellaneous first floated the idea to Degiheugi back in 2018, during a signing session. Six years later, the MC and the beatmaker bring the idea to fruition with an album titled "Everything's Fine," a project their previous collaborations hinted could be something truly special.'At its core, the album stems from a simple desire: to go back to basics, creating something raw and authentic. One beatmaker, one sampler; one MC, one mic. Nothing more. This minimalist approach turned out to be highly fruitful: ideas flowed, crossed paths, and enriched one another in a fluid, prolific creative ping-pong. The duo has openly shared how much fun they had making this record - and you can hear it! The sound is rich and warm, with thunderous beats. Sampling master Degiheugi, with his signature touch, has crafted each track like a finely cut gem, brimming with intricate details: vibrant vocal samples, brassy jazz-club horns, and gritty blues guitars.'After "Degiheugi Orchestra," a project that allowed him to fulfill a dream - reimagining his powerful, cinematic music with a classical orchestra - this return to his roots is a true rejuvenation for the beatmaker. Is it a lingering influence from his recent symphonic adventure' This new release is brimming with violins, cellos, and other strings, which the producer arranges with masterful skill: haunting melodies that never feel repetitive, a hypnotic Mongolian viola on "Sunshine Distributor," elegant violin flourishes on "Stay in Your Lane Part II" (one of the album's highlights), and a baroque twist with an irresistibly unlikely groove on the brilliant "Medieval" (featuring the excellent A.S.M.), another standout moment in an album full of them.'Degiheugi's productions are narrative yet nonlinear - perfect backdrops for Miscellaneous to showcase the full range of his lyrical talent. Sharpened by three EPs released this year with his duo Chill Bump, The anglophone rapper is at the peak of his craft, impressive with his vocal dexterity, musicality, and diverse flow, effortlessly switching from smooth West Coast phrasing to the gritty delivery of a tough, tattooed guy. With a background in rock and afrobeat, the rapper from Tours shares with Degiheugi a penchant for blending genres, navigating effortlessly between hip-hop, jazz, drum'n'bass, electro, and dub, without ever losing their unique artistic coherence.'This coherence is also reflected in the album's lyrics, with the title itself capturing its duality, shifting between disillusion and hope, gravity and lightness. "Everything's Fine." The statement is painfully ironic, as our world crumbles while we look the other way. Some tracks offer a critical analysis of how we live, consume, and destroy our planet, while some of the other songs, more carefree and hedonistic, encourage us to savor the pleasures life has to offer. Starting with this intense and impactful album.

Vinyl release of Degiheugi & Miscellaneous - Everything's Fine (Vinyl). Released through X-RAY RECORDINGS and available on 2LP.