Nic Drou - Here's To Future Nostalgia [EP]

Self Released

May 19, 2009, 04:03 PM

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Nic Drou's USP is (one suspects) his resolute britishness, this is a trait he shares with brum-hop pioneer Mike Skinner. However the rapid-fire deliveries, intelligent lyrics and twisted backing tracks on display here bring more to mind the left-field exploits of American alt-hop veterans ELP and the Anticon Collective. It's a record that really took me by surprise, the blank cover gave me no indication as to what lay in store for me and I'm pleased to report it was a largely enjoyable experience.

The opening declaration of "all art is shit" on "Uni Of Life" pretty much sums up the album in a subtle, charming and incredibly ironic manner. Drou is in love with his own words (as he has right to be) and here he laments missed opportunities ("studied at the uni of live and got a third") using Pink Floyd and Wikipedia as reference points. It's lyrically striking and although the backing track never reaches the beautiful, layered sound espoused by acts such as 'Cloudead' and 'Company Flow' it's adequate and unpredictable. The beats are not the focal point here though, it's the lyrics that shine, and this record is the most interesting hip-hop record I've heard lyrically since Doom's "Born Like This".

"Bullshit Machine" launches itself on one of the most foreboding synth sounds I've heard this side of Sunn 0))) and pairs this dense atmosphere to a clattering beat and the records most downbeat and interesting lyrics ("born to build cogs for the big bad machine that can never do it's job", "you cant achieve a single thing that ain't been done or at least assembled in a way that rolls off the tongue"). Drou's tone is thick and violent with a strong Midlands twang that manages to purvey significantly more grit that Mike Skinner whilst never losing that subtle charm.

The third track matches an obscure Futurama reference ("Death By Snoo Snoo") to a collection of off-kilter drum rolls and distant, distorted effects. It's by far the most obtuse track of the 4 and as such is probably the most rewarding. I listened to "DBSS" more than any other track as there were so many words and rhythms to decifer, it's a truly bizarre track but the execution is flawless, it really suits Drou's fractured, desolate lyrics and furious delivery style.

Closer "We Already Know Too Much" reiterates track 2's darker tones with it's narcissistic statements and bizarrely apt Dr. Strangelove references. The lyrics are just as strong as on the other 3 tracks but the backing at this point starts to feel a little over-familiar. This is hardly a damning criticism however as most modern hip-hop suffers from repetitive beats and instrumental tracks. I just couldn't see this holding my attention musically for a whole album though and if Drou intends to release a full LP at some point I would suggest he find a producer to collaborate with.

If your looking for hooks here your looking in the wrong place, this is old school hip-hop fed through a blender and as such it suffers from a defiant un-commercial feel. One gets the feeling that commercial prospects are not the reason this record exists though, it's a pure artistic statement and as urban music becomes either more 'safe' and watered down or just plain ridiculous, I welcome that statement. Here's to Future Nostalgia is an encouraging deluge into the mind of a man determined to break hip-hops self made boundaries. Keep an eye on this one.

Tracklisting
1. Uni Of Life
2. Bullshit Machine
3. Death By Snoo Snoo
4. We Already Know Too Much

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