Review: Bliss Consciousness's "BANDIT" Album

Bliss Consciousness hits us with his latest project “BANDIT.”  “BANDIT” is teaming with trap-tastic songs about the Strong Island native flooding a town near you with pounds of marijuana. Although Bliss shows his glowing potential on songs where he showcases his talent for operating “Two Phones”, it might be his personal, heartfelt, inspirational joints where he truly shines.    

The tracks “Pounds of Dro”, 1000 Miles A Week, and “Nothing Stays Gold” enlightens us on Bliss’s love for money, the obstacles of moving substantial amounts of contraband from state to state, his affinity for weed over cocaine, and his desire of death over incarceration.  The rapper expounds on his impoverished beginnings, and his transition to financial freedom through hard work, non-complacency, and maintaining a strong team.   

“Diamond” is an inspirational, and emotional song about uncertainty, coming of age, isolation, and how the rapper used focus, and self-determination to address those issues.  The chorus is great, and you can really hear Bliss’s need to gain personal growth in his situation even if he doesn’t know quite how to achieve it.  “Today’s the Day” is an open letter to one of the rappers failed relationships.  Bliss opens up his heart on the track spitting bars about a reluctant break-up that would be better for all involved in the end; while Alex Mendes delivers a chorus that is ready for retail. The title track “Bandit” evokes memories of “House of Pain” rapper Everlast later in his career.  Over an acoustic guitar the emcee again bares his soul about a member of the opposite sex that has pilfered his heart.

“Never Give In” is an encouraging track about the power of perseverance.  Bliss details his past experiences, difficulties, and invites those with similar circumstances to prevail by remaining focused, working hard, and by ignoring the critics.  Again, Alex Mendes’s chorus seems effortless and is extraordinary.  “Ride or Die” is excellent. Bliss switches up the style sounding, disheveled, unhinged, deranged, and suffering from a case of female fatigue.  Personally, I would have called it “Rob Kardashian”or “Black Chyna.” It’s that good. Whatever ambient sound is playing in the background during the hook is a nice touch.  Tracks like “Die Like This” and   “Way Back Home” are about self-discovery, individuality through work ethic and focus, opportunity cost, and character.  They are highlighted by the exceptional singing of Alex Mendes. 

“Biz 101” is the emcee’s own personal “10 Crack Commandments” or Jay-Z’s lesser known 1-900-Hustler.  Professor Bliss presents us with a lyrical lecture on how to “come up” by way of cannabis sales.  Money over all matters is the theme of “IDGAF.”  Bliss’s goal is to get money and whether it’s finance over females, or paper over the general population he gives no F***’s.  “It’s All Good” and “All Alone” are classic songs devoted to the age old story of: man me meets woman, man convinces woman to be committed to him, woman leaves man, man becomes depressed and a little stalkerish, woman comes back, man tells woman hit the proverbial bricks.  “What” is a gentlemen’s club anthem.  You can practically smell the chicken wings and, see the monsoon of money floating in the air when the D.J puts this song on. 

If I had any criticism for Bliss Consciousness’ “BANDIT”, it’s that for an emcee that has such a pronounced cadence and command of the track via his hawking, grimy, voice, you would like to hear production that was a little less mainstream.  One thing is for sure we are glad that Bliss followed his true calling exchanging bales for bars.