I think I’ve put off writing this post for so long because I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “Chrome Plated Chronicles” dropped over a month ago and was by far the most highly anticipated album in the Northwest this year. Epp has been a main figure in the Portland hip hop scene for a while now, but until this year, had not dropped a solo project. When word got out that Epp was working on an album with producers Lawz Spoken and Calvin Valentine, the bar was automatically set very high because of the reputation Epp had already created for himself as an extremely talented artist.
The first time I heard tracks off of Chrome Plated Chronicles was over six months ago. I was sitting in my junky 1996 Honda Civic, driving through Portland and I was blown away. I had no idea what to expect and the music I was hearing was really good. But last month, when I finally had the opportunity to listen to Chrome Plated Chronicles in full, the songs I had heard months previously were completely changed. The fact that Epp had taken tracks that were incredible to begin with and did not stop working on them until they were exactly what he wanted really says a lot about this album. Epp waited to release a solo project until he was ready to make his album and his career exactly what he wanted them to be.
Production on this album is fantastic. I love the work of Lawz Spoken and Calvin Valentine, and when the two join forces, they are absolutely unstoppable. I would say more, but I honestly don’t feel like I need to. The two speak for themselves.
Epp did not feature a single artist on this album. This was an extremely bold move. Epp is talented in a way that does not need to depend on the success of any other artist. If this album would have flopped, he would have been the only one to blame; and in being the only artist to rap on it, he took that risk. But, the album is great and because Epp is the only voice on the entire thing; he’s now the only one who can take the credit for how extremely well it turned out.
This album is really something else. You don’t need me to tell you that. Check it out for yourself — you won’t be disappointed.
Below, you can watch the video Epp released to his track “Watch This” from Chrome Plated Chronicles. After that, head to BandCamp and get the full album!
Keep an eye out for Epp’s next solo album, “Suicide Doors”, produced by Lawz Spoken, dropping tonight at midnight!
(Featured Image by @CalvinValentine)
