The Brag

Album Of The Week: Koolism
The ‘Umu
Invada/Remote Control Records
****
Is The ‘Umu better than Koolism’s previous four albums? I don’t know, I don’t own them. Is The ‘Umu dope? It sure is. Danielsan’s production is tight and original, with ridiculously huge sub bass and some clever sample use – but not over-use. Hau’s ego-less delivery is casual, which makes for a nice change from the oversaturation of bravado-style rapping. His is a style that’s always been better suited to the stage than the studio. Which makes listening to The ‘Umu a reminder that you should buy tickets to their next show…

‘Hanz High’ is a really distinctive production, with bass that just boils and boils. It’s potentially Danielsan’s most impressive production off this record, earning its number two spot on the tracklist. It’s backed up by ‘Ready’, another banger, and you start to get the feeling this album is carrying some weight. Next up ‘Cash Monet’ gets jiggy – and normally I use that phrase in derisory fashion, but this time it’s in just the right kind of way.

The album’s lead single ‘Jam Hot’ is fun in its derivative fashion, but there’s better tracks to be found – like ‘Turning Back’, which clocks in at number 14 of a whopping 16 tracks. ‘Yeah’ is a real highlight, and probably my pick of the bunch. It brings good energy to the album’s second half and also contains my favourite line: “But mind you / I’ll be right behind you like Gilchrist”. Aussie rap genius, sure; but the best thing about Koolism is that they don’t sound, and never have sounded, like any of the other Aussie hip hop acts…

I like the way this record doesn’t sound over-thought, or over-produced; it’s just fat in an effortless, confident way.

Tony Two-Tone