War Within

Audio Mixer: Ben Cybulsky.
Recording information: ¡MAYDAY! Studios.
On his first solo album since joining the Mayday! crew, Wrekonize explores his War Within and according to the intro, it takes the help of a hypnotist named Dr. Chosis ("but you may call me Sy") to get down in those deep denial crevices. Granted, concept albums that delve into a rapper's troubled mind are plentiful, but Wrek's difference is in the details, and the asides. Key cut "We Got Soul" is a cool strut through the rapper's biography with a "get real" aside about the hip-hop Illuminati ("All that secret society talk is distracting you from more/Don't let them take you down with fairytales of Masonry/Because, most of the time, it ain't as half as true as you think it be"), and while the great "Anxiety Attack" chills on the wistful tip like B.o.B.'s "Airplanes," its inspiration is entirely unique as Wrek reconsiders his sad stance once his sister describes his music as "too depressing." With the productions from DJ Sharpsound, Michael "Seven" Summers, and others being rich, plus guest artists Beanz, Posdnous, and Tech N9ne all sounding inspired, the only thing left to mention is that Wrekonize is great with the hooks as well. Combine it all and this is a therapy session worth sitting in on, again and again.