Focus The Truth – Trilla Szn Vol.1 the EP (Review)

Focus the Truth raps with a chip on his shoulder in “Trilla Szn Vol.1 the EP.”

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TOP 3

3. Venus Retrograde (Ft. Elle Simone)

it’s a little weird hearing Focus The Truth sound extra subdued in a song.

From an impressive rapping standpoint, “Timelapse” probably deserves a spot over “Venus Retrograde.” However, I do think the latter is just too powerful to ignore. Not only does the track boast this gentle, piano-driven beat that will pull at your heartstrings, but it also features verses from Focus the Truth that are full of humble, motivational, and wise lyrics. What’s the song’s cherry on the top? Elle Simone’s soulful, impactful vocals on the chorus. All in all, these are the kind of tracks that make me put more respect on an artist’s name.

2. Homegrown

Focus the Truth’s son ain’t lying at all. He is nice as f**k.

“Homegrown” epitomizes hard-hitting rap music. Primarily, the track features a menacing boom-bap beat that channels the vibes of 90s hip-hop and slasher movies. Fortunately, Focus the Truth fearlessly attacks it head-on. From the moment he starts rapping, he goes for the jugular, addressing his ultra-competitive nature, boss mentality, and motivation to chase success. His relentless delivery ensures that his punchlines hit with the force of Mike Tyson, and his wordplay stands out prominently.

1. Karma

Though I think the intro to this album is fantastic, I feel like the second track, “Karma,” is where Focus the Truth finds his groove.

In “Karma,” Focus the Truth demonstrates his unwavering focus as a rapper. Through his verses, he delves into his philosophy on creating music, informs us that he is someone who will never sell his soul, and brags about being a loyal individual. In terms of karma (Which the song is called), he attests to its undeniable reality, citing years of experience where he has both dished it out and received it.

If you’re a Griselda fan, the beat that drives “Karma” will resonate with you. It’s cold, boasts a satisfying knock, and maintains a good tempo. Rather than exuding an attitude of being too cool or excessively animated, Focus presents a version of himself that is emphatic and resolute. His delivery not only instills belief in every sentence he utters but also inspires a sense of motivation to embody the realness he represents.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Homegrown (4.5/5)

2. Karma (4.5/5)

3. Timelapse (4.5/5)

4. Venus Retrograde (4.5/5)

OVERALL RATING

(B+)

It’s regrettable that I came across this project on December 30th. I genuinely believe it could have clinched the title of Indie Project of the year for me.

There’s no denying it: Focus The Truth is an exceptionally talented rapper. Whether you seek passion, competitiveness, astute punchlines, or pure authenticity, he can deliver on all fronts. Though this EP is pretty short, I believe this EP successfully achieves all its intended goals.

To listen to the LP version of the album, press play HERE.