Boston, Massachusetts veteran Slaine has returned along with his sixth LP. Most notable for being a member of La Coka Nostra, he launched an EP & a complete of 4 mixtapes earlier than coming by way of along with his debut album A World with No Skies in 2011 underneath Suburban Noize Records. This was adopted up with The Boston Project in 2013 in addition to The King of Everything the yr after that, however the man went took a 3-year hiatus following the discharge of the Slaine is Dead EP in 2016 & returned by dropping the mature 1 Day in 2019. It’s been some time since The Things We Can’t Forgive, however he’s locking in with Statik Selektah to enter A New State of Grace.
The title observe opens up by leaping over some synthesizers & a vocal pattern speaking about going locations there normally isn’t any getting back from whereas “Cancel Culture” by La Coka Nostra tackles that very topic on high of a increase bap instrumental. “Listen Up” meshes these quirky synths with kicks & snares for a b-boy anthem simply earlier than “Ambition of the Crown” that includes Millyz talks about enjoying with hearth being a harmful factor when aiming on the king.
“It’s All Good” continues with an apology for somebody he harm while thanking them for being a real buddy of his whereas “Ain’t Been the Same” talks about waking up saying howdy to his new life & adios to his outdated one. “Coka Grillz” by La Coka Nostra that includes Paul Wall was a fantastic single with everybody spraying lyrical bullets at these seeking to battle them whereas “Crumbled God” that includes Rasheed Chappell & 1982 takes a extra aware method topically.
“The Real Shit” that includes Masta Ace & O.C. begins A New State of Grace’s closing leg with the trio over a piano-tinged increase bap instrumental speaking about occasions eternally altering whereas “Gusto” that includes O.T. the Real & Statik KXNG samples “In Memory Of…” by Gang Starr to see who can spit the illest verse. “World Don’t Stop” concludes with a heartfelt outro speaking in regards to the future making sense in hindsight.
Capturing the power of A State of Graceauthentic while carrying the burden in addition to the knowledge & scars of all the things that’s occurred since, A New State of Gracelooks as if a homecoming of types relating to Slaine & Statik Selektah’s friendship relationship again 2 decade. From the latter’s signature increase bap sound to the sharp lyricism balancing bravado with the maturity of 1 Day & The Things We Can’t Forgive, the sequel to Slaine’s most beloved tape raises the bar each it’s predecessors have set within the late 2010s/early 2020s.
Score: 9/10