The CunninLynguists Drop Old Soul Music Debut “The Heartstring Theory” (EP Review)
Lexington, Kentucky underground veterans the CunninLynguists returning 7 years after their 6th studio album Rose Azura Njano to drop a brand new EP of material through Old Soul Music. Consisting of Deacon the Villain as well as Natti & Kno, the trio have had several classics under their belt for over 2 decades including their full-length debut Will Rap for Food or more specifically their 3rd LP A Piece of Strange & the follow-up Dirty Acres. And with L’Orange’s newly formed indie label gradually growing in the past year or so, The Heartstring Theory was certain to be a welcoming debut for the trio.
“Forever” is synth-driven boom bap opener to the EP with the trio Finding Forever similarly to how Common did 17 years back whereas “When Your World Falls Apart” hooks up some jazz rap influences talking about doing what you can do it seems like everything’s starting to crash down on you acknowledging that it isn’t an easy thing got some. “Fading (Clock Struck 5)” starts the 2nd leg of the EP with a groovy instrumental finding them addressing their romantic interests & “Wasted (Cloud 92)” featuring Kelly Moonstone ends on the soulful boom bap tip talking about being really fucked up with their boos.
These guys have maintained a tightly stellar discography in the span of 24 years & even when they take 6-7 years off like they did when you look at the time gap between their last couple projects, they still keep giving great results. Kno’s production other than throwing some synthesizers in the equation to get the gears turning brings together elements of boom bap, jazz rap & soul music tackling themes of romance adding a hint of conscious in too.
Score: 8/10
