”It’s Not That Deep” to Kembe X (EP Review)
This is the 3rd EP from Chicago, Illinois emcee & Top Dawg Entertainment affiliate Kembe X. Getting his start over a decade ago with the debut EP Soundtrack II Armageddon & the debut mixtape Self Rule, his profile would continue to grow off the strength of the debut LP Talk Back as well as an eponymously titled 2nd EP & the sophomore effort I Was Depressed Until I Made This. His comeback effort from this spring Sleep Paralysis produced by Hippie Sabotage became his most acclaimed work & raised expectations for It’s Not That Deep.
“national anthem” starts with some guitars that transitions into a trap instrumental talking about everyone wanting to see him fall whereas “Death & Taxxxes” works in this dynamic beat with a Drill-influenced at the start ahead of a trap direction during the other explaining that you don’t need shrooms to trip with him. “i’m kool” psychedelically gets as smooth as he wants to while the standout “Introverted Extrovert” featuring Ab-Soul discusses the exact characteristic.
Moving on from there, the bombastic “Air Bae” flexes he’s been everywhere just before “British” featuring T.F woozily find both of them clowning everyone else for being as sweet as they are. “spilled milk” has a upbeat trap vibe assuring he’s got ya & “Neck on the Loose” aggressively promises to clap this adversary next time they link. “arizona summer Hope” ends the EP on an acoustic note singing that chick be seeing ghosts.
Sleep Paralysis noticeably stood out amongst the rest of his discography for taking a more personal approach than some of his previous work & It’s Not That Deep continues towards that trajectory since he used to resent the fact he’s always been the type of person that’s always tryna make shit deep except he’s now at a point where he’s having fun with it. Even if it’s only for a brief moment.
Score: 7/10
