Review: "Just Before Dawn" Album by Ezza of Choom Gang
Niagara, Ont based rapper Ezza of Choom Gang goes for an intense minimal trap take with the sheer physicality of his newly released album “Just Before Dawn”. The songs rumble for the bass has a force of nature quality to it while it lumbers on through. A woozy sensibility pours out of the powerful lyricism for they are delivered with a clear-eyed determination.
By far the highlight of the album, Ezza’s vocals never let up, going ever deeper and deeper. Narratives emerge capturing the small moments in life, whether it is area code pride or the ways that time slowly gets burned away. Everything is kept to the essentials; the songs have an almost psychedelic cyclical quality, and the samples and electro flourishes help to tie the entirety of the sound together.
Production takes on a number of unique tactics. Instead of going for the usual, Ezza incorporates a yellowed nostalgia. Never speeding things up, the slowed down churn adds to the emotional heft. Even further along the hazy spectrum, the graceful glide and mellowed tempos recall a bit of DJ Screw’s warped take on hip-hop.
Ezza’s delivery also feels acutely balanced to this more contemplative temperament, as he takes on the reflective cadence of Earl Sweatshirt’s careful stance. His wordplay further adds to the interior monologue Earl employs so deftly.
Echoes emerge on the opener “Pursuit of a Dream (Intro)”. Within this track, the slow coming into focus approach works wonders. Fragile delicate textures are woven together on the spacious “Ezza Bop”; check out the accompanying music video HERE. Swirling along in a celestial daze is the weird disorientation of “Fruit Roll Up”, feat. King Gordy. A bit of hometown pride emerges on the surprisingly intimate scope of “905ish” complete with a mournful string sample. Beats hit hard with the infectious “Someone Like Me”. A luxurious groove unfurls over the album highlight “Bowl up Dawn” as the multiple layers add to the work’s chilled-out vibes. “I’m Not One of You Remix”, feat. Jorel, brings things to a careful, considered whole.
The “Just Before Dawn” album shows off Ezza of Choom Gang’s impressive, unique tact proving him to be a rapper of piercingly good caliber.