Review: "KERN" EP by Ido
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A brooding heavy atmosphere defines “KERN”, the newly released, self-produced EP by Dutch rap artist Ido. Everything about it embraces the dark from the raw gritty flows that grace the entirety of the EP to the intense arrangements. Beats hit with such emotional fury. Lyrically masterful mood proves to be of the utmost essence from which all else flows. The tracks take their time for Ido engages in such overwhelming atmospheres throughout. Every song plays off the last making the EP best when taken in as a singular whole. Over the course of the work, a narrative begins to form one that revels in a life lived to the absolute fullest.
The stripped-down, minimal style recalls a bit of Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.”. Similar to that album, this EP manages to cut things down to the essentials. Everything has its own specific place. Beyond the obvious indebtedness to hip-hop, there is the intersection of elegant dubstep gestures a la James Blake that further heighten the emotional impact of the experience. Bass rumbles with a virtual physical quality. Grooves go for the deep, as they appear to be truly masterful with their flawless execution.
Morphed vocals introduce the surreal scope of “Ik Mis Je”. Percussion goes for a tactile quality for the track truly comes into focus with its threatening aura. Quite spacious, “Efteling” allows a lot of texture into the fray while Ido’s vocals have a directness to them. Surreal in its scope, “Gedachtens” serves as the highlight of the collection. Woozy samples are stretched to the breaking point with lyrics delivered with fire and passion. Quite confrontational, Ido completely lets loose on the track.
A sense of tension reigns supreme over the echoed hits of “Innerlijk Beest”. Trying a bit of determination, “Ikke Kan Niet Binden” incorporates rather gorgeous effects that waft up into the sky. Urgency ties the whole of “Panic Attack” together as the piece works itself into a frenzy. “Zero 6” ends the EP off with a slinky groove. Featuring just the right degree of reflection, everything that came before it filters into the dense mix.
Ido goes for a stark, unsettling yet uniquely his own vision on the poignant “KERN” EP. Enjoy this DOPE new project below.