P.O.S : Never Better
Taking reference from many genres P.O.S' third studio album Never Better proves to be yet another slick take on life from Minnesota's finest. From cleverly constructed Punk infused rap to moments of classic Hip Hop genius it serves to satisfy every taste and no doubt prove to be a genre-crossing success.
Having a childhood heavily influenced by Punk music, its roots and influences are clear to see throughout the work of Stefon Alexander. “Drumroll(We Are Thirsty)” begins, as the name would suggest, to a furious drumbeat expertly executed with impressively fast lyrics layered over the top. Combined with an ominous bass line and shouted group vocals it makes for an intimidating sound, but an extremely effective one at that. Blending influences so radically is a difficult business, but one that is achieved perfectly in this instance. In a similar vein “Purexed” features rapid snare beats combined with a surprisingly mellow synth melody. Alexander's tone and lyrics complement the instrumentation wonderfully, with enough sentiment to counteract a chaotic sound. Several breaks in the beat allow lyrics and the melody to feature, creating a perfect contrast.
Despite this evident knowledge of other genres, Alexander has not moved too far away from Hip Hop and all its trappings. Drawing influences from classic sounds as well as a more modern element, the combination of the two serve to create a recognisable yet fresh sound. “Goodbye” proves to be very much a modern classic, showcasing a light synth melody and a sing-a-long chorus reminiscent of an early Kanye West track. The beat is addictive and solid, with vocals of impressive tone and rhythm. “Terrorish” exhibits fast lyrics and a heavy beat lending a dirty feel. A screamed voice is an interesting feature, but at approximately two minutes it is short and sweet. In contrast “Been Afraid” offers a perfect taste of old school Hip Hop, with a steady snare beat blended with a subtle guitar melody making it the perfect track. Vocals are steady and consistent, completing the classic feel extremely well. “Savion Glover” also demonstrates Alexander's Hip Hop credentials expertly, complete with scratching and swift lyrics making it worthy of a place on any early 90s' album. To possess such a variety of skills and influences is admirable, but to find that within a single genre is truly impressive.
What cannot be ignored is the depth and sincerity of Alexander's lyrics. “Been Afraid” is a harrowing tale of life in an abusive home, with the lyrics mesmerising yet managing to remain sincere. “It caught her right beneath the armor/Cauterized thought of any blunt force trauma/Ain't no way that he can harm her, come on..” whilst perfectly capturing the emotion of the track Alexander manages to retain focus and credibility, something that many artists fail to do when tackling difficult subject matter. “Optimist” also deals with more emotional topics but moreover serves to showcase lyrical prowess. “Cause it gets a little darker every night/And if the rent goes up/They gonna cut out the/Dead ends to chase/Feelings to fake/New hearts to break/Amends to make” There is no doubt that Alexander is a talented man, but these lyrics although fairly simple in nature demonstrate his succinct lyrical ability and sincerity without being crass, a balance that is notoriously hard to strike.
There is more than enough in Never Better to keep the most eclectic of tastes satisfied, but what is key is that those schooled in Hip Hop will no doubt find it to be a triumph. Despite the foreign influences and unusual takes it manages to still remain very much a Hip Hop record, a testament to Alexander and his ability to combine different elements without being invasive. Combine that with sincere yet slick lyrics and you have an album that ticks a lot of boxes and satisfies a whole lot of people.
Words: Dan Grose
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