The Cool Kids, the legendary Midwestern duo consisting of Sir Michael Rocks from Chicago and Chuck Inglish from Mount Clemens, Michigan, have dropped their latest album ‘Hi Top Fade.’ After a series of mixtapes in the 2000s and their debut album ‘When Fish Ride Bicycles’ in 2011, they are back with a release that has salted the game once again.
The album opens with ‘Cigarello Helmets,’ a short 61-second intro produced by Chuck Inglish, which immediately shows they are back in full force. ‘We Got Clips’ follows with a psychedelic boom bap beat and sharp battle bars. In ‘Dang!’ they take on rappers who complain as soon as they achieve success, while ‘Rockbox’ is a throwback to old school, thanks in part to A-Trak's contribution.
The single ‘Foil Bass’ has a Neptunes-like beat and shows the duo still dominating the game. ’95 South’ brings back the Atlanta bass of 30 years ago and highlights their lasting influence. ‘Banana in the Tailpipe’ featuring Seafood Sam is a tribute to the late Drakeo the Ruler, and ‘Blade Runner’ featuring Radamiz wonders who will reach the afterlife first.
‘Crunch Rap Supreme’ returns to the boom bap with some of the hungriest performances on the album. ‘Don't Say My Name’ questions why people call them by their real names in public. Pink Siifu delivers the best feature on ‘Clean Linen Satin Pillow,’ addressing the theme of betrayal, while ‘Tryin’ to Get Like You’ highlights the hidden aspects of being fresh.
The album closes with ‘Cinnamon Part 2,’ a follow-up track from their ‘Gone Fishing’ mixtape, and ‘Live Wire,’ a romantic track with prominent synthesizers. ‘Back Up Off Me’ has a nostalgic 80’s R&B feel with a hip-hop twist. ‘Hi Top Fade’ is without a doubt The Cool Kids' most consistent full-length release in nearly 15 years, surpassing even their previous work in quality. With Chuck Inglish's production and chemistry with Sir Michael Rocks, this album is a must-listen for any hip-hop fan.
Score: 9/10
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