Brooklyn, New York skateboarder, MC, producer, songwriter, visible artist & mannequin Navy Blue beginning the week off together with his eighth studio LP. Breaking out a decade in the past off his debut EP According to the Waterbearer, he would go on to drop 9 extra EPs & 6 full-lengths earlier than signing to Def Jam Recordings for his earlier album Ways of Knowing produced by Budgie to essential acclaim. Coming off final summer season’s Memoirs in Armour EP nevertheless, The Sword & The Sword has arrived as we attain the midway level of the month.
“The Bloodletter” begins by hooking up a drumless piano from Chris Keys advising that you simply don’t must die as a way to dwell once more whereas the one single “Orchards” takes the increase bap route instrumentally with some strings to speak about being on an different journey of self-discovery. “God’s Kingdom” produced by Graymatter will get again on the drumless vibes discovering himself unable to cry currently since his uncle Carl handed whereas “Sunlight of the Spirit” soulfully talks about life being to lovely to cover the best way he’s dwelling.
Moving on from there, “Guardadas” retains it drumless calmly wanting for peace & recognition simply earlier than “My Heartbeat” heads for a jazzier increase bap route speaking about not being outlined by who he’s dwelling for hovering via an existential struggle. “Tale of the Truth” strips the drums as soon as once more making an attempt to tone down the voices depriving him of his endurance main into the self-produced “Fight On” speaking about love being the very factor he’s combating for.
“Kindred Spirit” begins the 2nd half remembering the late Ka in gentle of his tragic passing 13 months earlier over a saxophone whereas “If Only…” brings a bluesy guitar within the fold apologizing for not returning calls as a result of falling again. “Illusions” maintains a drumless sound speaking about wanting excessive & low when he was excessive & low whereas “24 Gospel” that includes Earl Sweatshirt finds the two abstractly bodying a gospel pattern that Animoss flipped.
To kick off The Sword & The Soaring’s remaining quarter, “Here & Now” jumps over a sampled piano for a pair minutes explaining his ache is the place his day resides whereas Sebb Bash offers “Soul Investments” an appropriately soulful edge to it asks why he’s on with protecting lesser if he has extra to achieve. “Sharing Life blends these luscious keys & a flute talking about fatherhood while “The Phoenix” involves the conclusion that the trials & tribulations have taught him he’s worthy of affection.
Navy Blue’s total discography has been outlined by his introspectively summary lyricism & drumless manufacturing, however his latest album takes his use of music as a therapeutic outlet to newer territories having The Sword thematically representing an earthly instrument used for the battle he’s cohesively describing or grief on this case & The Soaring symbolizing the heavenly council. The manufacturing on this one is soothingly peaceable dealing with solely 25% of it himself & Ka would definitely be pleased with the best way he’s being honored if he was nonetheless right here.
Score: 9/10