Story published in The Austin Chronicle. Online version here.
Iridescence trades the Southern trap palette of 2017 LP trilogy Saturation for a more abstract, yet expansive splatter of futurist techno-trap. Recorded over a 10-day span at Abbey Road Studios with a full choir and orchestra, the fourth album from the Texas collective erases the memory of departed MC Ameer Vann in 15 tracks. Opener "New Orleans" triumphantly announces a new sonic direction with its explosion of blown-out 808s and revving synths. Single "J'Ouvert" melds Lavaman's soca jam "Doh Blame Me" with buzzing kicks and distorted, 8-bit synths to unearth Joba's most ferocious verse to date. Meanwhile, the breathless symphony of "Weight" drowns frontman Kevin Abstract in doubt. Hooks sparse and structure loose, Iridescence redefines future pop.