Written by: The Administrator
When you hear that emphatic "Conductor! We have a problem!" tag followed immediately by Boldy James' calmly nonchalant tone, you know you're inevitably in for a good time. This full project team-up with Kansas City's own Conductor Williams felt almost destined--like the universe demanded a partnership. They are both masters of their respective craft, and arguably operate in a similarly pensive aesthetic lane. The fruits of their collaboration was inevitably going to be worthwhile. My first interaction with Across the Tracks was the lowkey "Off-White Lumberjack," which then prompted me to check out lead single, the emphatic "Terms and Conditions." After that point, waiting for the midnight release was a bit of a chore, but fear not. I made it, folks...and then waited like 4 months to write a review. That's how it's done 'round these parts. Long-term slow-burn musical digestion, or laziness? You decide.
In any case, the sumptuous Across The Tracks has narrowly taken the lead as my favorite Boldy James album of 2024 (thusfar). Given the sheer quality of January's Penalty of Leadership with Nicholas Craven, that hopefully says something. I'm ultimately glad I've sat with it so long prior to penning a review, as it rewards repeat listening. Boldy has the incredible gift of making complexity feel effortlessly off-the-cuff, and the longer you spend with his lived-in narratives, the more colorful his world becomes. Many listeners write his voice off as overly monotone, but there's a comfort in the laid-back familiarity. I find that his lack of elastic delivery demands very deliberate word choice in order to land an impactful bar. And Boldy is no stranger to impactful bars.
The Detroit rapper's lyricism is so relentlessly specific, which leads to near-infinite moments that feel humorous by benefit of the level of detail. Take highlight track "The Ol Switcheroo" as a prime example of seemingly mundane descriptions of a scene holding significant weight. "Spin the work up like a merry-go, titties on the fully, no areola/the paint on the two-seater lookin' like I spilt a two-liter of cherry cola" feels like such a window into both a mindset and a moment in time in the life of this self-styled "Brick James." And of course, Conductor does what Conductor does oh-so well. This soulful production is muted, dusty, casual. You can almost smell the nostalgia. The beats are slow moving and intimate and saccharinely luxurious in a comfortable homegrown way. Not sensual per se, but headed in that direction. They recall simple syrup and cloud watching. There's an old-fashioned sense of unhurry. The production suits and compliments Boldy's languid delivery exceptionally well, and across the project as a whole, "Lamp Shade" is the only track where the sample choice feels at odds with the rapping itself. That said, this particular example feels like an obvious and intentional artistic choice. In the grand scheme of his mighty catalog, this is perhaps not a top five Boldy James album, but that's okay. While I do feel like Fair Exchange No Robbery with Nicholas Craven and his work with The Alchemist represents the best of the rapper's extensive discography, Across the Tracks arguably shows us Boldy at his best as a storyteller. It is not the flashiest or most iconic; rather, it is intrinsically subtle. As such, it does not demand attention with any immediacy. It takes time to sink in. I highly recommend giving it a listen, and then another. And so on. Boldy James & Conductor Williams - Across the Tracks was released July 16th, 2024 via Near Mint
Boldy James can be foundhere
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