Review: "Revelation" Album by Ultra_eko
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South London’s Ultra_eko delves into a mysterious exploration of faith and hope on the alluringly dark “Revelation” album. Layer upon layer is applied, smeared across the sound. His voice is prominently displayed front and center. Over the course of the album an entire narrative comes into focus, one that has a splendid sense of surrealism. Melody, groove, tempo, these have a low-slung ethos to them. The sound itself alongside the rapping points to newer, more contemporary takes on hip-hop, for he moves the genre forward into something far more unique.
Nods to Dean Blunt’s trippy universe emerges throughout the project. The melted tactics used within each piece lends itself well to an almost dream-like state. An unhurried pace anchors the entirety of the journey, as the references to Yung Lean’s early works darts its way within the soundscapes. Done with the right amount of care and consideration, Ultra_eko also takes on some earlier hip-hop artists, most notably the confessional tenor of Biggie Smalls in terms of the sheer raw honesty of the lyricism. Every word is carefully selected to further add to the mood of the album.
The ghostly traces of the sample fade out as the rest of the opener “Dust to Dust” gradually filters into the fray, in a way that feels truly majestic. Nimble beats that have a geometric, bouncing quality to them, for there is a fire behind it. Bass rumbles on through “Fade to Black” for they take on a physicality to them. A night time, nightmarish presence underlies the eerie “Twisted Fate”.
Ultra_eko’s lyricism has a sharped edge for “Bad Egg” has a classic aura to it, one that touches the very soul. Chopped-up sounds filter on in within “Red Alert” as there is a woozy spirit. Romanticism frames the tenderness of “Pretty Girl”. Going for a minimalism and unease is the sprawling scope of “Messy Thoughts” where the snare has a halting presence. On “The Ark” the lyricism flows down as if cascading in a strong, powerful way. Neatly bringing the album to a fantastic, cinematic finale is the triumphant of “Book of Revelation”.
With so much fire and passion behind it, “Revelation” shows off Ultra_eko’s masterful poignant delivery. Listen to this incredible album ASAP and share it with those you know who want to explore the realms of the next level of Hip-Hop.