“Spirals” is Bake Lo at His Most Refined (Album Review)
Bake Lo is a 32 year old rapper from Detroit, Michigan who made his solo debut Only the Beginning in the fall of 2011 when I was a freshman in high school. He would go on to follow it up with the sophomore effort Misunderstood Mindstate, but it wasn’t until Anybody Killa signed him to Native World Inc. & dropped A Step in the Wrong Direction under the label where I personally started catching onto him. Monster would be released independently as was the Chuck extended play, which was the last time we’ve heard him. Coming off the 9th annual Astronomicon however, he’s returning for his 5th studio LP in preparation for him touring with ABK.
After the “Into the Spiral” intro, the opener “Spiral Down” expresses confidence that we’ll all begin life again someday leading into Str8jaket joining him in letting the “Words of Violence” fade & going for a boom bap vibe instrumentally. “Jewel Thief” angrily fires back at the people who take him for a fool leading into “Golden Eye” featuring MVNDI & Skwynts finds the trio hopping over an apocalyptic trap beat cautioning not to wake the beast inside of them.
“Criminal” featuring Donnie Menace joins forces so both of them can talk about living like mobsters robbing people for cleats while “Dirt on My Face” featuring Insane E fiercely emerges out of the flames of Hell in an attempt to escape the cells both of them have been locked in. “Spek” featuring Lyte reaches the halfway point talking about carrying Glocks around their respective parts of Michigan while “Just Incase” dismisses any & all precautions.
Things take more introspective approach on “Note to Self” asking himself who he is if he isn’t becoming the person he wants to be while “Confrmula” talks about no longer waiting since now’s the time to claim what’s his. “Benjamin” experiments with country rap a bit admitting the devil wants his soul & after “Bite Outta You” industrially depicts himself as a bloodthirsty creature, “Uzumaki” featuring Zitro finishes things up addressing those who don’t like them.
Spirals showcases Bake Lo’s signature lyrical depths as well as his raw storytelling & authentic voice delivering a fresh yet grounded perspective inspired by the 8 years of growth since the Monster for longtime fans & new listeners alike. Committed to quality & genuine expression, Bake Lo invites the underground & the world at large to experience the evolution of his artistry redefining his sound with a list of underground wicked shit titans joining him on the mic.
Score: 8/10
