My first Anakin Artz song was “OP”, which I reviewed a few days after first hearing it. My initial impression of Artz and the song’s production was interested, but not fully amused enough to hear a full album. I gave the song a recommendation anyways, then was offered to hear the full EP “Dark Matter” by Artz himself. After going out of my way and hearing it, I must say that each song has its own uniqueness and I was impressed by the album. Rena1ssance also does a fantastic job on production as well, as he produces every song on the EP.
Let’s not play around with vague statements, let’s just bust right into this and break it down track-by-track:
1. “In$ide” – The mellow start to the album through the beat starts it out just right. As it breaks into the rap verse, it begins a bit rough but molds into what sound it wants to be. The song stays focused and breaks into a catchy chorus. The second verse picks up speed and proves that Anakin Artz is at his best on a higher-paced sound (then again, who isn’t?). The song is a solid start to the EP and definitely grabs the attention of the listener.
8.25/10
2. “That Talk” – A beat entirely different from the first enters but the same Anakin Artz comes back. This song feels much deeper and the flow is much smoother. The bars are genuine and Artz feels more relatable. The chorus is a bit of a downgrade from the previous, but the overall Hip-Hop aspect is done very well. The beat may not be as remarkable as the first, but it brings the song the right tone for its attitude and lyrics.
9/10
3. “OP – Already reviewed that one here.
7.25/10
4. “The Gusto” – I am sure this song samples something, but whatever it uses is a perfect fit for the song. Production again proves to build up the song into something big. The pacing is right and the song is one of the best on the EP. The song’s general focus might be a bit difficult to decipher, but otherwise it is a great song for any Hip-Hop fan.
9.5/10
5. “Tough <3” – The beat changes into a more ominous and low-key sound, and Anakin Artz goes into personal life details. He breaks down his relationships and his sound reminds me the most of Wale at this point. The chorus is catchy just as “OP” was, and brings the verses together well. The bars are a bit slower but the song is another solid pick from “Dark Matter”.
9.25/10
6. “November” – We cap the song off with another slow track. The beat is complex and introduces the chorus by a female vocalist. This was definitely a smart move by production and Artz, and his verses fit in quite well. The lyrics feel a bit more awkward this time, but “November” still manages to be a very notable ending and leaving me wanting more from Anakin Artz.
8.25/10
So overall, I would rate the full album at around:
8.5/10
The EP is a step in the right direction for Anakin Artz, who draws comparisons to Wale and Meek Mill. His flow is developing and his lyricism is molding into something he becomes more and more comfortable with, The EP starts out with decent music and ends with even better songs. While “OP” got its own music video, I found the other five songs way more personal and intriguing, and causes me to wish I had heard them first. My hopes is that Artz finds his voice on some higher-paced tunes and so that he can give a full display of his hottest verses.
Rena1ssance does an incredible job on production and is a huge part of this album’s success. Props go out to him as well for every beat. Great starts for both of these young artists allow me to look forward to hearing more.
So you can stream the whole EP on AudioMack below. Make sure to check him out as well on his official Facebook page here. Check out the music below:
Austin's Music Picks 