L.A. Wells: “The Journey Ahead” effortlessly refreshes Hip-Hop’s massively clichéd, mostly commercial state

L.A. Wells has been in the music scene since he was 12 years old, started off by playing guitar and moving forward from then on, experimenting with bands in various music styles form heavy metal to old school rap. Born and raised in Los Angeles California, L.A. Wells is now focusing on Hip Hop, and has released his E.P, “The Journey Ahead” which showcases a blend of live instrumentation and old school feel with a modern touch.

L.A. Wells has been simultaneously dabbling in Hip Hop as performance art and incorporating increased amounts of Indie Rock and stripped down Trap and psychedelic elements into his sound.

And instead of any boastful microphone pyrotechnics, L.A. Wells has showcased a toned down delivery in support of first-person narratives. The style has worked on “The Journey Ahead” because L.A. Wells is a adept artist, and because his strategy has been executed almost flawlessly.

The EP plays out like a Hip Hop personal diary dirge. It is layered, warm and, at certain points, it is intentionally sonically melodic. It’s also extremely good, in a Hip Hop landscape bifurcated by Golden Era romanticists and turnt-up sets. Here, L.A. Wells essentially takes on both factions on equal terms and with splendid results.

In terms of production, this may be the most organic sounding underground rap EP I’ve listened in recent months. L.A. Wells consistently sounds like a live band with thumping basslines, jangly guitars and percolating horns on the blow. When executed well, as they are here, the soundscapes help advance the respective narratives. Especially on standout tracks like “Glory Days”, “Mother” and “Number One”.

I like those rappers who take a serious approach to the musical and artistic sides of their sound, and are interested in taking their songwriting into new territory. L.A. Wells succeeds without a doubt on all those levels. Here we have great organic elements fully integrated into his intelligent hip hop sounds.

This is a truly forward-thinking recording, and it’s not just about the music, as L.A. Wells drops some thought provoking rhymes too. His flow and rhyme scheme is also extremely impacting and makes for an interesting listen. You can tell throughout the recording that L.A. Wells is able to express himself artistically in exactly the way that he wanted to as his style is almost always relaxed and focused.

He never allows himself to become overwhelming, forcing his listeners to lose track of each song’s meaning or message. And when he does pick up the pace lyrically, as he does on “That Kush Smoke”, it’s to emphasize a point.

It won’t take you long to realize that he is a talented individual who effortlessly refreshes Hip-Hop’s stale, massively clichéd, mostly commercial state. Furthermore L.A. Wells is offering the EP on FREE download at his website!

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