Aesop Rock has been a fixture on the alternative/underground hip hop scene for years. His 2007 album None Shall Pass lays out all the traits that have made him such a fixture in that scene– his cavernous vocabulary, dense musical arrangements, and production style that mimics the sound of an artist recording alone in their bedroom. This isn’t lo-fi persay, but it does feel intimate and singular. In addition Aesop Rock has a ton of industrial rock based influences in his production– there were moments during None Shall Pass were it sounded almost like Tom Morello was brought into the studio to help compose some of the arrangements (especially during “Catacomb Kids” and “Dark Heart News”, two standout songs from the album). It’s a flavor that works well with Aesop Rock’s approach to his vocal delivery.
Standout Songs: “None Shall Pass”, “Catacomb Kids”, “Citronella”, “Dark Heart News”
