Natural Habitz – Natural Affect Vol. 1 (Album Review)

Natural Affect’s Vol. 1 blends classic and modern hip-hop vibes for an explosive journey.

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5. P.O.F. (PARTY ON FIRE)

“P.O.F.” will appeal to DJs all over the globe.

“P.O.F.” is a non-stop feel-good anthem infused with reggae swag and laidback vibes. Soft instrumental moments give this track a lighter feel, while the slick rap deliveries provide a much-needed change-up to keep the party going.

4. VONDREDI NOIR

This track is perfect for fans of alternative hip-hop.

You get a high-energy jolt of slick lyrics and snappy deliveries combined with moody beats in “Vondredi Noir.” This track is catchy as hell and mixes the best of classic hip-hop and modern vibes, a true highlight of Natural Habitz’s signature style.

3. AGAINST ALL ODDS

“Against All Odds” is a definite winner.

Natural Habitz show off some sharp delivery skills with a 90s style kick in “Against All Odds.” The smooth vocals feel well-balanced and work really well to drive home the “you can do it” message of the song; as do the catchy beats and well-crafted lyrics.

2. GASSED UP

A solid start, “Gassed Up” will get you hyped up for the rest of this project.

Snappy deliveries with a slightly aggressive punch combines with catchy beats and cheeky wordplay for this sweet smoke song. The track also shows off how smoothly the vocals for each member Natural Habitz blends together.

1. UNSTOPPABLE

“Unstoppable” is the ultimate hype song.

“Unstoppable” hits literal high notes that blend beautifully with motivational rap lyrics reminding us to rise above hatred and never slow down. Mood-matching tones highlight these impressive vocal moments perfectly. A strong finish for the closing track of Natural Affects, this song is a perfect feel-good boost.

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1. GASSED UP (5/5)

2. VONDREDI NOIR (4/5)

3. P.O.F. (PARTY ON FIRE) (4/5)

4. GOOD TIME (4/5)

5. OVERTIME (4/4)

6. JUST MOVE (4/5)

7. ANYTHING (4/5)

8. AGAINST ALL ODDS (4/5)

9. BANG ON ‘EM (4/5)

10. REGULAR STAR (4/5)

11. UNSTOPPABLE (5/5)

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(A)

Chattanooga, Tennessee-based hip-hop group Natural Habitz aims to create feel-good hip hop that appeals to everyone and shows off the diversity of southern artists. The group is made up of MCs Kunstruct (also a producer), Meda, Doughboi, Dice, and Tykoon Savy. Since their start, Natural Habitz has helped give back to the community by performing for charity events. The group has opened for major acts, performed at the Riverbend Festival in ‘11, ‘13, and ‘15, and were part of the Extreme Tour in ‘17 and ‘18. Their song “Let’s Go” was featured in the 2011 holiday stoner comedy A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas.

Natural Affects Vol. 1 is the group’s latest release. The 2020 album covers eleven tracks in under forty minutes as it shows off the group’s signature sound and a stylish combination of classic hip-hop and modern swag. Filled with high energy throughout, the tracks dive into a variety of topics with clever wordplay and explosive deliveries while staying true to their old-school roots.

The album’s production is on point, hitting all the right highs with catchy beats while never taking the focus off the vocals. There’s plenty of memorable feel-good vibes throughout like “Regular Star,” which praises the non-stop grind of the 9-5ers as well as the ultra-motivational hype song “Unstoppable.”

Natural Affects has the key elements for what makes a good album a great one: The talent is obvious, the passion is explosive, and the engagement is there. Also, the album-length is perfect, as some of the tracks are fairly short, and this works to the album’s advantage. Natural Affects doesn’t fall prey to the dreaded throwaway filler of an overly congested album. The group gives listeners what they need and they move on, it’s what keeps everything feeling fresh as opposed to repetitive. This is a solid, uplifting hip-hop album that deserves significantly more hype.