Review: Onoe Caponoe - Invisible War
Onoe Caponoe is an anomaly, dividing fan opinions since signing to UK hip-hop forerunners High Focus Records. A respected veteran of London’s rapping underground, since early grime days spitting alongside Scruffizer, Onoe’s musical style progressed as he grew; mutually more influenced by the psychedelic sounds which raised him. With this inspiration, Onoe chose to break boundaries rather than continue replicating tired hip-hop traditions, preventing him becoming pigeon-holed into any precise genre. To date, Onoe released four full length projects through High Focus - the most recent being Invisible War.
As is commonplace across Onoe’s discography, Invisible War sees Onoe handle the vocals completely by himself bar two emcees, L-Zee Rozelli and Miles Dare. Presumably it’s difficult discovering other emcees on board with the delix, 169 topics which Onoe repetitively recites with undying ferocity. It becomes immediately clear from ‘The Awakening’ - with animalistic howls, shrieking synths and unnerving samples converging into an engrossing opener, that the album is a weighty musical composition. However this doesn’t take anything away from the skill displayed by riveting, quick-fire flows which elevate the hype for singles such as ‘Jungle’. Back-to-back with L-Zee Rozelli, a booming bassline sets the tempo before the emcees energise the track to ecstatic extents with aggressive vocal styles. Onoe then begins demonstrating his versatility as the beat transitions from a manic atmosphere into a melancholic love serenade called ‘Starlight Lady’, reciting a euphoria of emotions for an out-of-reach romance. Then on the following track, ‘Wild In The Streets’, again Onoe exhibits his multifaceted flows as he wiles out with an undoubted grime inspiration. All the while, the instrumentals constantly alternate between calming relaxation and hyper-active madness. In amongst it all, there are certain instrumental ‘skits’ such as ‘Ur Killing Me’ which allow a break in the attempts to grasp all which is so hastily said, allowing listeners to become deeper immersed in the wondrous instrumental melodies.
Considering Onoe doesn’t stick to single genre conventions, it’s incredible how each ever-changing atmosphere blends so cohesively into the next. Onoe sets scenes emphasizing his unsettling thoughts and romanticised daydreams in a non-cryptic way, putting perspectives and philosophies on a plate for fans to consume. As the album continues, the mellow songs tend to revolve around romance; take ‘Lamp Of Lust’ and ‘Battle Of Self : I Love You Gurl’. However for the most part, Onoe narrates his inter-dimensional expedition with rapid rhymes revolving around his 169 philosophies. The instrumental transitions remain captivating throughout, ‘Escape From The Darkness’ is an enchanting, starlit interlude before ‘Ghosts In Ma Alleyway : Walking Thru The Forest’ alternates from an initially grimey, dirty bassline into a blissful serenity of soft strings and otherworldly sounds depicting a whispering woodland. Miles Dare delivers an intelligent verse which might go over a few heads on ‘Breaking Out The Mist : Into The Light’, themed around the relief of escaping a metaphorical mist. He makes a second feature on ‘Exorcist’, competing with Onoe’s lyrical quickness over a hectic backing track. The album climaxes with a psychedelic composition of sound called ‘Crying Cat’, laced with the tranquil singing of Jessica Winter.
Invisible War is a musical masterpiece - the instrumental transitions transport the listener to new dimensions, whilst Onoe captures the imagination with finesse. This isn’t your typical rap album, however the rhyme schemes and production are deserved of celebration. Another timeless album from one of London’s most eccentrically exciting rap artists.
Words by Evo @ethanevo