Release Date: 26 March 2026
Song Count: 13
Duration: 34 minutes, 32 seconds
Rating: 8.2/10
Description:
Song Count: 13
Duration: 34 minutes, 32 seconds
Rating: 8.2/10
Description:
Yes, I know this counts as a day earlier than the other big releases. It was only by around an hour, though, and time(zones) make(s) fools of us all in the end.
A trip away from UK-based artists and European music in general awaits us towards the other side of the continent, as today we're looking at the second album release from an up and rising artist from Buenos Aires by the name of Broke Carrey. Known primarily for his merging work in the scene of conscious Latin hip-hop discussing current issues with the world at large in an artistic medium, this new record of his switches this style up further with folklore elements to plunge the whole experience in an additional coat of cultural inspiration. Having stated the likes of Calle 13 as his primary stylistic inspiration - which, if one has listened to the other's work, is very easy to pick out here as well - the musicians jumps right into rich themes of society, heartbreak, politics and finding one's place in the world with HIJO DEL PAÍS.
Putting both his flowing and clever rapping prowess and passionate singing skills on the front for all to hear, Carrey takes the show of his LP and lets the meaningful words he speaks sink into the listener's brain, which at part even transcends beyond just the barrier of understanding the Spanish language. This showcase is accompanied by a varied and highly dynamic instrumentation that often incorporates acoustic guitars and traditionally inspired melodies to hammer the point across, amongst many other elements and a coexisting modernity being blended in as well. It all leads to a collection of tracks where the focus lies less on the happenings of the hybrid musical style setting up the background, as they act more like mood setters akin to a soundtrack, and far more on the vocals themselves telling the story, whether it be through their lyrics or simply their delivery, both by Carrey and his collaborators.
The intricacies of the lyricism and their subject matter do fall mostly reserved to the target audience as political criticisms, reflecting and interpersonal ballads as well tales of common people losing faith or standing united against their oppressors are rapidly thrown in one's direction; however, this does not take away from the immense enjoyability to be found by the way these songs are crafted, regardless of where one is from in the world. A well thought-out and highly personalised piece that does not shy away from toying with different ways to appreciate its culture of origin and topicality, HIJO DEL PAÍS stands as something remarkably unique, even by the standards of the "usual" socially conscious music Broke Carrey makes. Do give this one a go - it most certainly deserves some additional appreciation for how innovative it is.