Collaboration is the essence of hip hop. The relationship between MC and DJ is as old as the genre itself. While albums littered with different producers make for an eclectic, exciting listen, there is no experience more satisfying than a completely cohesive rap album, driven by the combined visions of a rapper/producer duo.
IN SPACE – the crossover between rapper Bryson the Alien and producer Blu – is far from your typical collaboration. Rather than working together in the studio, Bryson was given exclusive access to Blu’s catalogue of beats, and with that power, he put together an entire LP. This makes IN SPACE a one-of-a-kind collaboration: one where the beats date as far back as 2015, while the raps were recorded almost a decade later. The end-product is an extraterrestrial odyssey of a rap album, blending the jazzy grooves of the West Coast with the futuristic flair of a faraway galaxy.
The album opens with “PLUG ONE”, a laidback, jazz-driven tune that sums up all the strengths of Bryson as an MC and Blu as a producer. On the mic, the Alien delivers every bar with a half-whispered, conversational tone, making every verse sound effortless as he layers delicate wordplay with ever-moving rhyme schemes and no shortage of wit. Even within his understated delivery, he showcases his versatility, employing vocal inflections and colourful adlibs to illustrate his unique voice. All of this is performed over a chirpy piano loop mixed in with some dreamy soul samples, making for a languid, albeit familiar sound to open the LP.
The jazzy soundscape continues into “KING ME”, a melancholy departure from the upbeat sound of the intro where Bryson explores themes of life, motivation, and influence. Rapping over a mellow trumpet sample, the first two tracks embody the summery, smooth style of West Coast jazz rap, representing musically the familiar sounds of Earth before the album launches the listener into the unknown.
Rather than any smooth transition, the album sonically reroutes as the jazzy grooves of “KING ME” give way to the bombastic futurism of “STARBURST”. The song kicks in like the sudden launch of a rocket, running for a mere 47 seconds while the Alien rhymes until he’s breathless. Even the production plays into the cosmic imagery, where a spiral of rising synths symbolise the album’s path through the atmosphere and into space. Then comes the title-track: an enveloping piece of atmosphere where the listener is bombarded with a choir of woozy synthesisers. Bryson hops back and forth between fast-paced rapping and slow, deep-voiced singing, perfectly adapting to the strange, otherworldly sound.
From here, the album maintains that extraterrestrial aesthetic, abandoning all hints of jazz in favour of meandering synths and a bold, futuristic sound. Tracks like “MELLOW MONDAY” and “MARSHMELLOW #3” are packed with unorthodox bass, messy drum patterns, and a flurry of colourful synths, embodying all the eclectic oddity of the universe with the same vibrance and funk as a classic Parliament tune. “ZELDARS IN L.A.” and “SHMORES” go in a completely different direction, stripped back in their production to mimic the vast emptiness of space itself. Whether a busy funk jam or a minimalistic patter of synths, Bryson the Alien masters every instrumental with his rambling flows and stream of consciousness style lyrics, depicting his life, his passions, and his creativity through every track.
A handful of guests appear on the LP, all of whom offer standout performances. Guilty Simpson proves himself a master of rhyme with his contribution; Planet Asia’s growling, braggadocious performance offers a compelling contrast to the Alien’s softer presence; and Tezmanian provides one of the best verses on the album as part of the gargantuan closer, “EVERY MORNING”.
Despite the peculiar creation of IN SPACE, the album comes together as a cohesive whole, taking the listener on a musical journey from the jazz-filled streets of the West Coast into the endless depths of space. Bryson the Alien’s oddball approach to rapping – cramming various inflections and voices into every verse – feeds into the otherworldly feel of the LP, complemented even more by his choice in production. Although Blu did not make any of the beats specifically for the Alien, Bryson’s keen ear was enough to piece together a smooth collection of instrumentals, weaved together seamlessly with a little help from Emilio Alvarado and a blessing from the producer himself. IN SPACE is more than a journey across the universe; it’s an adventure into the mind of Bryson the Alien, a natural lyricist whose conversational approach to MCing makes every meandering verse a marvel to listen to.
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