shane arnold // Better things Album Review

All Photos in this review are credited to Eli Haney Photography & easte

Couchdog is taking a quick detour from showcasing the amazing art created within the city of Melbourne/Naarm to review this new LP from Las Vegas based rapper shane arnold.

With his third album, Better Things see’s this talented MC and producer curate a 12 track album that features blemishes from a wide array from genres packaged into the familiar wrappings of cloudy, vibe based Hip Hop.

The album immediately introduces listeners to the textures that will be prevalent across the run time with its opener untitled (doom). There are a decadent amount of layers across this track, with a mix of strong bass boosted synths, plucking of an acoustic guitar and a vocal chop that wouldn't sound out of place in a Mk.Gee album. Through this mix of contrasting yet complimentary sounds we hear the opening verse from the MC. A strong statement that acts as a table setter for the journey Better Things will take us on. A confident delivery that has an understated timbre. Much like other current Artists such as Navy Blue or Milo who showcase their lyrical content through a calm demeanor that despite its more laid back approach, still captures your attention.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the album's opener that extends as a recurring theme in this LP is the sudden beat switch and the introduction of a jazzier tone with the horn samples. This mood shift changes from more anticipatory to almost triumphant as the opener ends on a high.

There is a huge diversity of sound across the album. Whether you prefer a more cozy lofi offering of Hip-Hop like the second track greener, or another more laid back approach like and after that, we didn't talk, which focuses on some truly beautiful synths and acts as a ballad to lost love. 

A particularly stand out element of Better things however is the playfulness with genres such as Bosa Nova. fire!!! and Flo see shanes beat selection really shine, as he takes what are pretty standard Bossa Nova beats and creates two radically different songs with the instrumentation he chooses to deploy over the top. In fire!!! there is an ominous ambience that plays in great contrast to the beat. The typical imagery that usually associates with listening to Bossa Nova is sitting on a sunny beach, cocktail in hand, shirt unbuttoned. In this take on a classical styled beat fire!!! feels more contemplative, swap that sunny beach for an overcast day walking through a city and swap that cocktail with bourbon on the rocks. I would be grossly mistaken to not also mention the insane beat switch that features on the end of the track, the meditative trance dissipates once the breakbeat kicks in with swirling jazzy pianos and warped synths. 

Some other highlights include shane’s vocal delivery on blue blood (close) that reminds me a lot of the off kilter rhythm that you hear on a Quasimoto joint (minus the pitched up vocals), the remix of Westside Rhodes’ Low Fixture that features an exquisite use of Moonchilds Things you do to me and the other stand out Sweet n Sour.  A less conventional offering, with less of a consistent beat, instead flourishes of a pounding kick drum that is there more of a melodic texture opposed to a typical rhythmic use. This sounding more like a soundscape allows the vocal performance from not only shane but also the feature from OLD MAN STOGIE to really take centre stage. The contrast between the more gentle and rougher deliveries from the two rappers really makes this track shine.

If you have any inclination toward Hip-Hop or beatmaking, Better things by shane arnold cannot be recommended enough. Its thoughtful lyricism and eclectic sound palette makes for a genuinely intriguing listen. Please check this out on bandcamp!

Follow shane arnold on instagram here!