Phoenix, Arizona entice steel outfit the Dropout Kings now consisting of vocalists Eddie Wellz & Rob Sebastian, guitarists Chucky Guzman & Jeremy Garcia and at last Joe Lana Jr. on drums/percussion releasing their third studio LP. Making their debut in 2018 off their full-length debut AudioDope & gaining extra momentum a pair years later with their debut EP GlitchGang, they signed to Suburban Noize Records for his or her divisive sophomore effort Riot Music even when I personally have it as my favourite of their discography. The unique lead singer Adam Ramey tragically took his life this spring & the Kings are dedicating Yokai to his reminiscence.
“Black Sheep” begins the album with a rap steel/nu steel throwback speaking about being out of their minds whereas “Brace Yourself” advises to organize for what they’ve finished to interrupt themselves embracing each types of the intro as soon as once more. “Baka” will get again to the band’s entice steel roots promising to stay & die by honor in addition to referencing my favourite WR of all-time Randy Moss, however then “F.T.W. (Fuck the World)” lividly provides a center finger to everybody round them.
The rap steel vibes return for “Devil Fruit” observing the sport for being as cutthroat as it’s simply earlier than “First Day Out” begins the 2nd half of Yokai with essentially the most melodic second on the complete undertaking singing about life going south & issues trying brighter nowadays. “Guillotine” blends rap steel & various steel collectively to allow them to communicate of discovering their very own methods across the darkness whereas “Fake It” asks if their names can be stated or disappeared in the event that they occurred to fade away.
Meanwhile on the title monitor, now we have the Dropout Kings stepping into an industrial hip hop route instrumentally speaking about bringing knifes to gun fights & changing into smartasses once they get too excessive previous to the rap rock-tinged “Eye Bleach” suggesting that they need to be treating all these different bands of their lane like they’re kids advising to hold it up already. The nearer “Deadname” ends the sextet’s Napalm debut with a metalcore/rap steel hybrid desirous to be buried as their former forenames.
Getting to see the Dropout Kings stay throughout each the Gathering of the Juggalos & Fright Fest within the late summer season/early fall of 2021, what may almost certainly be Adam Ramey’s ultimate recordings ever celebrates the whole lot he stood for marks a bittersweet finish of an period within the group’s story. The indomitable will, ambition, wrestle & ache that’ve formed these guys into what they’re at the moment get vouched for adapting to entice steel’s evolution throughout a time of their best loss.
Score: 8/10