Okay, there’s no point in thinking about the divorce from Tytus’ label. Let’s focus on what’s here and now, and even what was a moment ago, because it was released a few months ago. “Wait, let me check my phone”where two unfulfilled asphalt talents appeared next to OSTR (heh) – Young Olisadebe and LUCK7 – was a decent comeback for the rapper after his bland and transparent recent studio efforts, apart from mixtapes “042 Requiem” and “042 Sequentia”. And when it was announced “XX” I was exceptionally calm, even though it was a rather unusual concept that I had already tackled 4P. Don’t you remember the guy? Nothing wrong with that.
You will remember “XX” for that, because it is a truly noteworthy production, which recalls the golden times of Ostry’s romance with jazz samples. Here, in cooperation with the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, the rapper created an album set in the past, which transports listeners to the realities of the interwar period. The subject seemed difficult to achieve without excessive pathos and smiling in some political direction, especially when you have to convey the perspective from a hundred years ago as strongly as possible, but don’t worry – you managed to avoid that.
This is not OSTR’s first concept album. Dark and well-written “For adults only” from 2010, or a hit gamecharger for corporate rats getting to know Polish rap “Life after death” gained a worthy successor. “XX” has a good starting position, and the Łódź artist himself managed to stand on the sidelines and tell stories, as befits a rapper.
Kercelak, dolinarz, rabbis, gamblers, swindlers, church robberies, Warsaw after dark, mysterious Lviv, Łódź beer halls and others. Rarely seen, especially on hip-hop albums, right? And here it is, and with such little tricks, it manages to anchor for a moment in the historical period. All this is additionally reinforced by the atmospheric opener “XX Preface” and a skit “Winter of the Century”where the foreground is a fantastic narrative, reminiscent of old radio broadcasts. “Occult Zephyr” keeps you in suspense, “In plain sight” is a successful reportage of nocturnal and not entirely legal life. “7 fingers” along with all the details leading to specific streets of the capital and a few names being thrown around, makes me delve even deeper into the whole idea of ”XX”. “The Porter’s Tango” it’s a successful counting song with rap skills at the forefront, and “Rhymester” is a biographical story with big dreams in the background and a catchy line “By accident, Poland doesn’t know about me yet.”
While the lyrics and characteristic phrases may not be memorable for some, which should not be surprising given the rare vocabulary, the musical setting is simply something to be delighted with. OSTR hasn’t had such a well-produced album in a long time (er, since “Carthage”?) and I don’t want to take away from Killing Skills’ class, but when he is his own helm and sailor, it comes out much, much better. Provided that he reaches for his own, battle-tested patents and doesn’t veer into areas where he doesn’t feel comfortable. Let’s take a “The Promised Land”which delights with programmed drums and a soulful sample. “Tango porcjarza” sounds phenomenal, in which rhythm reigns supreme, and the sample of “Sign Your Name” by Sananda Maitrei adds charm and shows how you can insert fragments from another world, both the era and the style itself, without losing the atmosphere. The atmosphere is uplifting “The Golden Horn” and it perfectly complements the text. So, as usual – classic hip-hop is doing very well with the Łódź native.
I also read that “XX” “is a musical story about people of that time, about life from the perspective of an ordinary person. A history lesson that was not written in books”. Surprisingly, the marketing people did not lie this time. So it’s good that OSTR got back in shape, because how long can you roll a squeal from push-ups on your wife, or yawn to some “Diaporama” or another “Anger”?
OSTR “XX”, Tabasko Recordings