IN REVIEW: CMPND - Eagle Court Album
Press Photos by Harvey Williams Fairley
Vitamin G, Kemastry, Wundrop aka High Focus Records newest signing, CMPND.
CMPND consists of three of Brighton’s finest Hip Hop artists carving the way for a new lane of rap music. Having already made a name for themselves making moves with solo & collaborative releases on YoGoCop Records. The synergy from these three artists, combining their creative talents, results in an exciting new vision and sound that perfectly compliments their unique style to the ever-growing UKHH giant that is High Focus Records - cementing CMPND’s release up there with group albums from The Four Owls, Dead Players, Brothers Of The Stone & Strange U. The new wave is here and it bangs hard!
The high level of consistency throughout the album is kept in check from Wundrop’s flawless production of gritty yet melodic beats, rapped over by all three artists, narrating the life of a generation lost but not forgotten. Listening to the group as they effortlessly switch between the Boom Bap sound and the trap/hybrid future wave, creates a unique listening experience to be enjoyed and appreciated by all generations of Hip Hop heads. The combined chemistry of the group is perhaps more reminiscent of the legendary Contact Play than any others about at the moment. Bouncing off each other with an energy built over years of grafting together through life’s ups and downs.
With the respect they have already individually earned from their years of growth and leading a wave of alternative rap, I can say with ease this is one of the albums I am most excited to be released this year. Eagle Court’s stand out tracks for me are their debut single “Whatuplayin@”, the feature heavy “Hindenburg” and the scally vibes on “Instant Wins”.
Features to look out for: Dirty Dike, Fliptrix, Stinkin Slumrock, Nuphzed, Herbicide, Indira May, Verbz Louis Loan & Hutch.
'Eagle Court' is officially released on the 11th of October 2019. Pre-order here for vinyl,tape and CD!
Words by Kit Findlay
