Archive for November, 2020

Agung Mango & Nikodimos – Yo El Rey

Nov
17
posted by tommy

We haven’t hit December yet but today had me in Christmas mode with the announcement of ‘new gear’ from the most promising MC in Melbourne. It’s called Yo El Rey (Spanish for ‘I The King’ – I lived in South America for a minute, no big deal) and is his third official drop for the year alongside the ‘Rodent’ and the more recent ‘Little Bum’. That last record had Pharrel leanings on the beat end with a little N.E.R.D and a little Neptunes shining through which wouldn’t be an unexpected influence for anyone across his side proj Coughman Neptune. Ya following me? Neptunes? Neptune? Ugh, stick with me here Aaron.

Anywho, ‘Yo El Rey’ can downright get it as far as I’m concerned. It’s the first offering from a joint project with fellow Melbournite producer Nikodimos who no doubt makes the shit out of a beat but shows his true strength in his adroit instrumentality. Hear that cutie flute? That’s your boy. The drums? The bass? It’s all Niko, my guy. This, incidentally, isn’t the first time the two have partnered up on track but they’ve certainly fine tuned it since.

So those first blissful flute lines you hear waterfalling over a percussive break might make you feel peaced up but Gung coming straight in with “We got ten more minutes m’fucker let’s go!” proves that mood quickly untrue. In contrast to the instrumental, the vocal is angular and agressive but it doesn’t remain so for the duration. His greatest strength has always been his capacity to navigate multiple voices which I’ve said again and again (ugh, I’m boring) and is one of the true marks of an ascendent MC. You want him at his most rageful or his hookiest? Have both on the one track, an absolute steal. Sure, you can ride a wave to the top of Billboard doing the same thing on every song from start to finish but why would ya when you’ve got all this is your arsenal?

I’m already hearing hints and rumours about the songs and collaborations Gung has coming in 2021 and lemme tell you… this boy is already on his way out the door and the guy Nikodimos is only hastening the moves.

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