This is the sixth EP from San Diego, California emcee/producer Sam R I. Someone who emerged throughout the west coast underground off his first 4 EPs Purple Cashmere, Rush Hour, Nickz & Stax Payne. He would later have William Bostick totally produce his debut album 12 Monkeys in the direction of backend of 2024 after Bostick heard Sam’s verse on “Rise in Winter Crime (Brrrrr)” & a pair months succeeding an eponymous EP, he’s enlisting Truelove to deal with all of Stained Glass’ beats.
We get 93 seconds of drumless rap rock vibes speaking about him strolling down a “Cold Path” simply earlier than issues lean in the direction of a increase bap vibe instrumentally explaining that he can’t cope with “Tha Pressure” of setting for much less. “Dice Kream Man” shifts into extra soulful territory exhibiting a sensual aspect to Sam topically main into “Paint the Picture” ominously mentioning the statement of children today inhibiting our toes with clips in a bit as an alternative of sitting on seashores.
“Turf War Kids” after the “Stained Side” interlude chops up a vocal pattern to symbolize his turf now whereas “Words from an O.G.” ruggedly suggests to take off earlier than he breaks off. Willie Marshall seems on “Fly Away” soulfully speaking about seeing dying at a younger age within the slums & after “Cloud City” that includes Apoc Krysis finds the two teaming up for an additional hardcore increase bap joint, “What If?” soulfully ends the EP telling the love of his life that every one he desires is her.
12 Monkeys was a superb gateway for anybody who hadn’t heard of Sam R I because it nonetheless embodies who he’s right this moment & those that have been impressed by that LP as a lot as I used to be will definitely have to present Stained Glass a spin every time the prospect comes this weekend. It’s extra conceptual than Sam’s inaugural full-length, cohesively describing 3 journeys popping out of three completely different cities & the manufacturing remains to be increase bap-oriented though there are secondary influences of drumless, rap rock & chipmunk soul.
Score: 8/10