Injury Reserve is back and even better with their newest album, Floss.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Injury Reserve is the coolest thing to ever come out of Arizona.
Injury Reserve is made up of Nathaniel “Ritchie with a T” Ritchie, Jordan “Steppa J” Groggs, and their producer Parker Corey.
Their journey has only just begun but they’ve already endured some amazing triumphs and tough tribulations; from their equipment being stolen to receiving ongoing recognition from Anthony Fantano’s The Needle Drop, Illroots, Mass Appeal, Vic Mensa, and even Tidal.
With an EP and an album already under their belt, Floss is the perfect addition to their collection of work thus far.
Floss is a witty follow up to Injury Reserve’s first album, Live From The Dentist Office; an album full of nostalgic, progressive, funky jazz rap. With top tracks like “Yo”,“Whatever Dude”,“Everybody Knows”, and “Ttktv”. Front to back, the album is a solid listen.
In comparison, Ritchie with a T makes an immediate point on Floss saying, “I say this ain’t jazz rap. This that, this that spazz Rap,” on the album’s first track titled “Oh Shit”.
“Oh Shit” is one of the best off the album and starts off the project with attention-grabbing high energy that you’ll hear again on “All This Money”. My favorite high energy moment on the album goes to “Girl With The Gold Wrist” which samples the K-Pop song, “Rum Pum Pum Pum”. The loop on this track is soooo fucked up. As soon as I close my eyes to go to sleep at night, the dark space in my mind fills up with this loop. I can’t escape it! For some reason N.E.R.D’s “Lapdance” music video pops up simultaneously when I hear “Girl With The Gold Wrist”.
Being a huge Neptunes fan, there are so many moments other than “Girl With A Gold Wrist” that strike me as Neptunes influenced. Such as “What’s Goodie” which is this sideways, spazzy, high-energy track featuring Cakes Da Killa. For some, the beat to this track could be hard to follow but Parker Corey completely executes the task of making the track not only listenable but exciting. In all honesty, Parker Corey’s production throughout the entire album is a blitzkrieg of hard-hitting beats.
The mellow highlights on the album include “Bad Boys 3” and the melodic “S on Ya Chest” which reminds me of Live From The Dentist Office. Another standout track is “Keep On Slippin” which features Chicago’s very own, Vic Mensa. I’m a big fan of the chemistry between Groggs and Ritchie with a T but Vic Mensa manages to come in seamlessly, adding the perfect touch to the track. My favorite mellow moment off the project goes to the final track, “Look Mama I Did It”. This track includes a rich and hopeful gospel sample that beautifully compliments the personal lyrics and insight that Grogg’s and Ritchie with a T delivered. This track leaves the album off on a breathtaking and refreshing note that feels familiar to Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam”.
All in all, Injury Reserve should feel proud that they have once again put out another great album. I can’t wait to see where Floss and Injury Reserve will go throughout 2017. Of all things, I’m most excited to see this album performed live. A full tour is not yet scheduled but they will be performing the album in its entirety on January 14 at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix, Arizona. To buy tickets, click here.
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FEATURED IMAGE COURTESY OF INJURY RESERVE; SHOT BY JAKE OSMUN & MODELED BY SNOBS.
CALLIGRAPHY BY SONIA BAMBINA.