Muenster – Ian (Album Review)

Muenster returns with the stacked “Muenstervision Presents: Ian.”

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TOP 5

5. Syncopation (Ft. Abstract Rude, QM & E-Turn)

This song definitely makes me want to do the ‘Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go” dance!

It’s a 90s hip-hop party, guys! “Syncopation” boasts this bombastic, uptempo beat that will remind you of the days folks rocked flattops and ate an unhealthy amount of Twinkies. Amazingly, every rapper featured in the song actually keeps up with the beat’s old-school style and feverish pace.

Do you know what I love about “Syncopation?” In a hip-hop world where everyone sounds the same, Abstract Rude, QM, and E-Turn all drop competitive verses that are completely different from one another in the track. God bless this version of America!

4. Griot (Ft. Ras Kass)

Muenster and Ras Kass absolutely shine in the jazzy “Griot.”

“Griot” will stimulate your mind (I usually hate saying s**t like this, but I had to for this song). First and foremost, the song features this unique instrumental that will both calm your nerves and make you nod your head. Additionally, the song features a tongue-twisting/wisdom-filled/confrontational verse by Muenster and a hard-hitting verse by Ras Kass in which he blesses us with astonishing wordplay and deep lyrics about racial inequality. Overall, I think this song is very empowering.

3. Inaugration

Muenster’s competition will concede after they are done listening to “Inaugration” (Do you like what I did there?).

“Inauguration” opens up this album perfectly (Chef’s kiss). I love that the song boasts celebratory vibes and sounds upbeat overall. As for Muenster, the performance that he puts up in the song is electrifying. I love how he surfs through it sounding competitive and motivational. I also like how he hits us with deliveries that sound complex and out-of-this-worldly (Like, literally alien-like). This opening track immediately lets you know that Muenster isn’t in the business of dumbing down s**t.

2. Don’t Abide

Killer bars permeate through “Don’t Abide.”

I mean, seriously, who wouldn’t turn their competitive sides on after hearing the beat that powers “Don’t Abide?” I feel like it hits harder than a bottom-shelf liquor shot. The good news is that everyone featured in the song meets the beat at the rim. Not only does each rapper come across as ready for smoke, but the way they effortlessly slide through the track hitting us with flows that are steady as hell will catch your attention. As for lyrically, you have to appreciate how much love for the purest form of hip-hop is acknowledged throughout.

1. Masquerade

I’m not going to lie, I find it very refreshing to listen to festive music like “Masquerade” these days.

I love “Masequeade” for Muenster. While we know him to fiddle with complicated flows and lyrical content that will go over your head like a f**king halo, in this particular song, he gets lost in the colorful vibes that the production offers, which ultimately results in him sounding free, relaxed, and laidback. Fans of Muenster, no need to worry, he still throws jabs at his competition and speaks his mind fearlessly about what he deems as inconsistent behavior from folks in the political stratosphere (I just heard a big “whew”).

SONG-BY-SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Inaugration (4/5)

2. Griot (Ft. Ras Kass) (4.5/5)

3. Don’t Abide (Ft. Evolve & Tame One) (4.5/5)

4. We Live (3.5/5)

5. Equilibrium (Ft. Ceschi & Heir Max) (3.5/5)

6. Disenfranchisement (Ft. Myka Nine) (2.5/5)

7. Masquerade (3.5/5)

8. Dynamics (3/5)

9. Syncopation (Ft. Abstract Rude, QM & E-Turn) (4/5)

10. Altered Carbon (Ft. Pterradacto) (3/5)

11. Broken Decks (4/5)

12. Mannequin (Ft. iQmuzic) (3.5/5)

13. New Tours (Ft. Taiyamo) Denku (4/5)

14. Easy (Ft. Ritchy Flo) (4/5)

15. Doe Eyes (4/5)

16. Fake News (Ft. JSun the Prophesor & Kilathon (Levon Donnell) (3/5)

17. Log Out (Ft. Bobby FIsha & Billy Syn) (3.5/5)

RGM RATING

(B-)

I don’t know the last time that I got a fully satisfying hip-hop experience. In today’s world, we get a lot of projects that sound the same and/or incomplete. The seventeen-track Ian provides everything you would want from a full-blown project: Great features, distinctive production, tons of passion, good energy, and most importantly, lyrical content that is competitive, empowering, thought-provoking, and just plain ole productive. If you want to exercise your mind, I highly recommend that you give this album a shot.