To me, one of the most important aspects of an album or EP is the experience that it provides from start to finish. I want to get lost in it. Those however many minutes should feel like I stepped into Narnia, warping time to let me explore the album in-depth. I feel as though the Blake Anthony EP does just that.
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It opens with the introductory track, “No Name In The Street,” where we hear Blake reciting the original writing of James Baldwin from page 71 of his book, No Name in the Street. Piano keys play lightly in the background, foreshadowing the jazzy undertones of the album.
The first track, “Head Up” is a message in perseverance. “I keep my head above the water, keep my head above it.” Not only does the hook get stuck in my head, but the beat stands out too. Vitamin D produced this track and mastered the entire EP, too, adding his legendary finesse to Blake’s sturdy foundation.
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“Ziploc” is the first of two Yodi Mac features on the Blake Anthony EP. This track has a wild energy to it that begs for it to be performed live.
In “Flawless,” BA shows us two sides of his talent. A fluid flow forms the hook that swirls into your ear like blunt smoke. Then he chops it up during the verse, giving me an incredibly satisfying contrast in textures throughout the song.
Now, I think I’m most excited to hear Blake Anthony perform “Black Coffee” on stage at the Columbia City Theatre on August 30th. The song has the perfect vibe for a classic vaudeville stage. DJ Grumble produced the dope little jazzy beat behind this track, easily putting into my top three on the EP.
Watch Blake Anthony “Black Coffee” Music Video
As we move further into the second half of the album, the track, “Cycles,” is the quintessential smoker’s anthem. Take a trip to Jamaica as Blake exhales the hook, “Feelin like this, I be high, like, every day, like, through midnight,” over reggae-inspired beats.
With a quick shift to the G-Funk era, the next track, “Slabs,” picks the tempo back up. Take a quick dance break as BA breaks down a quick verse.
The last two tracks feel like a day and night pack. The first, “Stoopside” has a morning wake and bake vibe. You can even hear the sound of bong tokes being taken in the background.
Ending off the Blake Anthony EP is the track, “Late Night.” With the title already setting the scene, the languid beat places you on a dark freeway lit only by streetlights that keep flashing by like the bars Blake and Yodi spit. The track fades out perfectly at the end leaving you with a sense of fulfillment as the EP comes to a close.
Stream The Blake Anthony EP
