Artist: Konshens
Album: Mental Maintenance
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Label: VP Records
Release Date: February 28th/March 6th
RIYL: Chino, Assassin,
Rating: *****
This is Konshens debut album. Konshens has been a DJ to watch for approximately three years--since the release of his first big single, "Winner". This record showcases Konshen's versatility, it features reggae, dancehall productions, and hip-hop flavored club bangers. The album opens with "World Citizen" a conscious reggae tune with a flowing acoustic guitar melody. Konshens shows his singing abilities on this and other tracks throughout, although he is probably most effective as a DJ when toasting verses in between is sung choruses. Immediately after this solid opener, we have "Represent" a massive chune that sets the standard for the next 6 excellent numbers. "Simple Song" is a bubbly synthesizer-fuelled dancehall track which is distinctly contemporary while also having a wonderful 80s feel. This flows well into "Rasta Imposter", a remix of a hit song from early in Konshens in career. This, and songs from Konshen's earlier repetoire ("Last Drink", "The Realest") are greatly refreshed by being remixed. "Rasta Imposter" moves effectively through a dubbed out atmosphere, Konshen's vocals are pushed into the distance as a soundscape of effects and echoes bubbles over them; punctuated by guest appearances from Tarrus Riley, Sizzla, Darrio, and Wrath Riley. "Do Sumn", the single of the album, is an instantly addictive dancehall track. "Bounce" leans more into the realm of hip-hop, yet is equally addictive and a great club track. The album closes with "She's Happy", a sincerely felt song about Konshen's concerns as a parent. Less effective is the romantic number treading into R&B territory, "Wanna Be Done", yet it is far from unbearable. "Mental Maintenance" also features a number of somewhat annoying skits, however, generally the album flows quite well from song to song despite featuring such a variety of moods and styles. Konshens is definitely one of the most talented DJs of his generation, and it shows on this album. Stylistically, the album effectively conveys the variety of genres available in Jamaican popular today. An early runner for best reggae album of the year. Highly, highly, recommended.
- World Citizen ****
- Represent *****!
- Simple Song *****!
- Rasta Imposter [remix] ft. Tarrus Riley, Sizzla, Darrio, and Wrath Riley *****!
- Do Sumn *****
- Bounce *****!
- Pop in My Headphones ***
- Last Drink ft. Voicemail *****
- Homewrecker ****
- Leave Your Side ***
- Gal Dem a Talk *****
- Only Jah ****
- Wanna Be Done (Mi Love Har) ***
- No More Tears ****
- Love This Life *****
- The Realest [Remix] ft. Bounty Killer ****
- She's Happy *****
