ALBUM REVIEW: JPEGMAFIA x Danny Brown - SCARING THE HOES

    In the 2010s rap scene, few artists have gotten the cult following and reverence quite like both Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA - while both don't have the same mainstream success as other rappers, they are both very prominent and successful within the scene with their experimental styles. I've been a casual fan of both of these guys for a while, even if Danny gets more of my praise (I love Atrocity Exhibition), so when I got word that this project's release was imminent with a track listing and all, I instantly was anticipating its release. Now, it's really here, and if it isn't everything I was expecting and hoping for. SCARING THE HOES is, very often, a batshit insane album with its aggressive beats, bizarre sampling, and impressive skills from both rappers. Despite it very much living up to the name, it should be acknowledged that this is easily the best rap album of the year so far, and there's hardly any competition - it is truly captivating musically and production-wise, and Danny and Peggy have immaculate chemistry together that makes for one hell of a ridiculous project, but one that's enjoyable in its ridiculousness. What more could you ask for?

    The production on this album is one of the most galvanizing and best parts of the album. JPEGMAFIA handles all the production in house, and it's immediately obvious, as it bares his singular style of in-your-face noisy production and crashing instrumentation. If I could use two words to describe the sound of this album, it's "hyper" and "frantic", and not once throughout the release do they slow it down. This is a release as potent as caffeine with its energy, but it sounds fucking great. It's all part of the decisively humorous atmosphere of the album, from the alternate album covers that are just screenshots of JPEGMAFIA blocking you on Twitter to the RateYourMusic merchandise, to song names like "Jack Harlow Combo Meal", it's clear that both Peggy and Danny are in for a good time, and they sure as hell brought the goods. Brown and JPEG are fucking hilarious on this release, and their experimental and crazed energies mesh together with such perfect chemistry that you'd think they had been doing this for years. On paper alone, this is a more than successful collaboration.

    Now Danny and Peggy cooking is all good, but it doesn't mean anything if the songs aren't there - well, they're here alright. Not only is SCARING THE HOES supremely entertaining lyrically, but the songs fucking hit. From the opening "Lean Beef Patty", it's clear that you're in for a hell of a project through and through, and they keep the momentum going. The immediately following "Steppa Pig" is just as exciting, if not more-so. Danny Brown's rapping is consistently great on this, to the point where I'm almost tempted to single him out as the better rapper, but that's cutting it close - both are carrying their weight evenly on this album, which makes it feel like a truly cohesive collaboration. "Burfict!" is a more straightforward trap song, which probably makes it the most approachable thing on the album, but that's hardly a bad thing when it's so damn energizing. The title track is some great jazz rap, albeit sampling from free jazz (the original hoe scaring music, of course). "Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up / Muddy Waters" is excellent hardcore hip-hop with a great switch-up in the middle. "Kingdom Hearts Key" is some of the best cloud rap I've heard in memory, and comes with a killer feature from redveil to boot. "Run the Jewels" is a short-but-sweet moment with a few callbacks to another rap duo with some equally beloved members. "Jack Harlow Combo Meal", aside from making me laugh every time I read the title, is probably one of the best moments on the album (although when its this consistently good, it's hard to choose just one). "Where Ya Get Your Coke From?" is an excellent closing track with leanings on industrial hip-hop, and it's the only way I could ever imagine the project ending - with a fucking bang.

    Let's hope for a Volume 2. SCARING THE HOES, aside from being the first release from both members in quite some time, and with each one returning with this excellent album, it's all worth it. Immaculately produced in its controlled apocalyptic atmosphere, remarkably funny, and with a seemingly destined chemistry between the two rappers, SCARING THE HOES is easily this year's best rap album so far, and a strong contender for album of the year straight out the gate. Supervillains clicked up, and the results are diabolically great.

RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯

Listen to SCARING THE HOES.