Brainstorm has dropped a brand new album titled No Hard Feelings. For those that are unfamiliar with his catalog, he’s established himself as one of the top producers in the Pacific Northwest. This can be shown through personal projects, collaborations, and his impressive list of wins on the beat battle stage. For his new album, he brings the heat behind the boards that fans know and love. He also is showcasing his vocals with featured artists as well. Featured names include Papa Black Davinci, Mundy, S.E.V, Huey P, and Christina Pallis.
Leading up to the release of the album, Brainstorm delivered a highly successful rollout of singles; which appear on the project. One of the most striking components of the album is how strong the production and writing is throughout. Each track has its own sound and identity, all while being cohesive with the tracks around them. The themes and imagery that are created through the lyrics also heighten this element.
On No Hard Feelings, the production simply hits different compared to many hip-hop projects. This can be heard through the booming 808’s and full percussion lines. In addition, the way Brainstorm designs the sonic landscape of each song with the different layers of instruments is tight, clever, and deeply thought through. This can also be shown in the varying transitions within the songs throughout the project.
Track Breakdown
The first track “No Strings Attached” sets the tone for the entire album. The driving percussion paired with Brainstorm’s triplet based flow successfully kicks everything off. The sound space that he creates is a perfect setup for the tracks that follow which include “All My Life” featuring Papa Black Davinci, “Money & Power” featuring Mundy, and “Curve Rate.” These three tracks all build off the first as they expand on the themes that he introduced.
For his next track “CoolKids” featuring S.E.V, the mood of the project definitely changes as the hard-hitting 808’s and kicks get exchanged for the vocals taking over space on the track. The filtered string/horn lead builds the sound throughout, as both artists drop their wisdom on their respective verses.
The sound that Brainstorm showcases on “CoolKids” carries over to the next two tracks titled “Vices” and “SwitchUp” featuring Huey P and Christina Pallis. While both Brainstorm and the features do their thing, one of the most memorable components is the smooth transitions heard throughout. Because of this, it sets up both the verses and choruses nicely.
The final two tracks titled “Tommy” and “Doris” are a great way to finish the album. Both tracks return to the sound that he heard in the front half of the project. This works well as it brings everything full circle and makes the different sections of the album complete.
Brainstorm has undoubtedly delivered a hit album with No Hard Feelings. From the mastery of the production to a strong vocal performance, he proves why he’s the top producer in the area. Outside of his roles on the project, it’s clear that everything is very precise and deeply thought through. The journey that the album provides is high energy, thought evoking, and creative all rolled into one.
Brainstorm – No Hard Feelings
What do you think of Brainstorm’s latest album? Let us know in the comments below!
