For a relatively new name in the business, Minneapolis rapper Retso, has a powerful sound and a lot of strong beats to accompany his intelligent rhymes. Retso incorporates a wide range of genres into his music. Diversifying between R&B, Rock, Pop and Hiphop, and the infusions work well, supplying some very interesting sounds indeed.
After hearing the opening track “One Life ft.Chris Hodges” I knew I was listening to something special. Besides being a skilled lyricist, Retso delivers premium productions throughout the album. Considering that he personally creates all the music and lyrics to his songs, the weight of his talent multiplies ten-fold.
Throughout the 14-tracks I listened to, where Retso explores a variety of emotions on several tracks, he proves that he is one of the most innovative young music producers working in hip-hop. Retso can spit with ferociousness like on “This Is War,” and he can come on soft and laid-back when needed, as he does on “Just Can’t Change.”
Rarely do you hear such a mix of emotional candidness, artistic vision and skill from a young white rapper. The comparisons with Enimen are obviously inevitable, and in fact, a scan across the web uncovers a series of comments, made by fans, about the similarities between the two. Yet while it’s pretty evident to anyone, that Retso still has a way to go, to reach the success level, of probably the best white rapper in the history of music, he definitely showcases similar qualities. It’s in his music, in the rhymes, and most certainly in his lyrical flow.
Primarily, Retso delves into extremely personal territory, but he never comes off as whiny or overly sappy, there is a genuine strength to every word. He kicks his raps with force, and he does it with the sense of a real battle rapper, never falling into the trap of overly complex wordplay as many underground rappers do. It’s straightforward and hard hitting. He paints visions of the life that his heart looks out to, with understanding and empathy. He flexes his storytelling skills. He doesn’t sound out of place in any of these modes, thanks to his conscientious writing and nuanced delivery. Moreover he does this all, accompanied by the best and most immediate beat compositions.
Retso’s music is catchy enough for people to want to listen to, and advanced and complex enough to keep people listening rather than just being a party groove. There are a number of tracks that I have found to be powerful, both in their musical construction and their lyrical content. I usually play through new albums slowly, listening to each track multiple times before moving on, and some tunes here are worthy of an album purchase all on their own.
I certainly have high expectations for Retso, who is already showing signs of a very promising career, and would absolutely be looking out for any follow-up releases by this artist.
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