Noztalgia crafts a compelling compilation with Vol. 1
by: SLIM HALPERT
Today more than ever a strong brand is necessary to stand out amongst your peers. You need an ever present influence in your culture to be considered a strong brand as well as having a message that is clear and connects with your audience. Noztalgia has built just such a name for themselves and to celebrate their growth, as well as promote their message of musical progress and diversity, they have released Vol. 1, a compilation of songs recorded at Deep Roots Studios in Tempe, AZ and features artists they have personally worked with. Just taking one look at the cover, with musical influences cascading in a collage of genius, lets you know its going to have a lot to offer. The entire project feels exactly like that message comes full circle with an eclectic array of songs highlighting an album that truly has something for everyone.
The intro, “Overcast” is a track feat. DJ/Producer Tony Choc and it is the perfect lead-in to the rest of the albums diverse sound. Tony Choc uses a plethora of samples and beats to create a sound board of emotional poignant snippets that interact flawlessly and end in a way that leads perfectly into “Ice” feat. Dirty K. This track is highlighted by the keys on the beat and the easy going flow displayed by Dirty K and could fit into most Sunday driving playlists. The third track, “Night Rider” feat. A-Dub da Prodigy takes the chilled out vibe laid out by the previous track and slightly ramps up the intensity while pulling back on the delivery and letting the words resonate with the beat and the listener. The Sunday playlisting for this one is better for a night drive. Sossee & St. Pierre feature on the next track “Thanos”. This track hits the sweet spot for all the nerdy hip-hop fans but also delivers on the lyrical ability and shouldn't be taken lightly amongst old hip-hop heads. Kirsin delivers the next track “Street Lights” which feels like a mosh pit of influences from Yelawolf to Outkast. It gives “Night Rider” competition for the second best song on the entire album after the next track, “Foreign” feat. Seven Trill. This song shows off the albums best instrumental, it plays like a Kevin Gates club banger but is delivered with more vocal control and a intently Chicano flair which helps it carve its own path.
“You Already Know” feat. Lexx is a classic R&B track in the vein of Aaliyah or Toni Braxton and delivers on the feels. Lexx shows vulnerability not expected on a track from a compilation album. The next track “Reaper” featuring Mic Myers showcases the best bars on the album by far. The delivery is polished yet ruthless and leaves nothing up in the air when it comes to how he feels about his work and the people associated with Noztalgia. The intensity gets brought back down with “Most” feat. Dvnci. The creativity in the song writing is the key to this songs appeal. Dvnci can use his flow in multiple ways and does so to great effect on the hook here stating the most he would do to win a girl over. Keeping with the vibes of relationships but heading to a slightly different end of the spectrum, the next track “Insense” feat. Hermez feels like a Weeknd meets Genuine track and celebrates the physical synchronicity two people can share. The final track, “Change” feat. Zenny Phantom, London & Merlyn, might be the most radio friendly and marketable song on the album. The topic is universal, the production is A+ but it also has that mainstream appeal that comes from the balance of female and male vocals.
The order of the tracks on a project is tricky enough for anyone but even more daunting for the curator of a compilation album. Things don't always transition well or sometimes don't fit it at all with compilation albums. The only gripe one might have could be with the order the tracks are in but the overall tone musically links everything and never makes any song truly feel out of place. In life all we really have are two things; our word and what we do with it. Noztalgia has gathered the words of many artists and what they have done is create a singular yet collective voice that echoes the themes of this album and what they are all about, progress and diversity. Their roots are deep and they excel at what they do, Noztalgia is here to stay.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO “Vol. 1″