Conway The Machine returns with perhaps the hardest album of the year in “Slant Face Killah.”
STREAM
TOP 5
5. Ten/Rya Interlude (Ft. Key Glock & Rya Maxwell)
Have you ever heard a Conway The Machine track at the club? B*tch, you might now!
So, I am only here to endorse “Ten,” which features Key Glock. I have nothing for you when it pertains to “Rya Interlude.” That said, “Ten” features one of Conway The Machine’s catchiest and most enjoyable hooks to date, an epic beat that I can see Godzilla shaking his ass to, and a jerky rap style by Conway that I actually love for some odd reason. While I don’t love Key Glock’s verse, I do really like the change of pace and southern flavor it adds to the pot. All in all, this is easily one of the most enjoyable tracks on this project.
4. Meth Back! (Ft. Method Man, SK Da King & Flee Lord)
*Method Man is back. Meth never went anywhere.
If you’re a fan of classic New York rap, “Meth Back!” will undoubtedly excite you. Method Man appropriately kicks off the track with a verse reminiscent of his earlier work, delving into themes of drug dealing with his trademark gritty flow and witty punchlines. The song also boasts a hard-hitting hook that’s equally catchy, along with a wacky verse by SK Da King, a punchy verse by Flee Lord, and a slick verse by Conway at the end.
3. Surf & Turf (Ft. T.F, 2 Eleven, Ab-Soul & Jay Worthy)
We don’t deserve bars this amazing.
If you enjoyed “Pi” from J. Cole’s Might Delete Later album, you would look like Steve Balmer during Clippers games when you hear “Surf & Turf.” Though the track boasts production that barely gets started, it features what I can only describe as Godly bars from Jay Worthy, Conway The Machine, Ab-Soul, and more. If you only have a few minutes to spare, I implore you to fast-forward to Ab-Soul’s verse. That s**t is unbelievably good.
2. Vertino (Ft. Joey Bada$$)
Conway The Machine and Joey Bada$$ put their g*ddamn feet in this track (I mean that as a compliment).
“Vertino” is colder than the leftovers folks ate in the ’50s. In the track, Conway The Machine takes center stage over a hard-hitting boom-bap beat, boasting about his team of warriors and flaunting his lavish possessions. Additionally, he emphasizes his self-made success and acknowledges his ties to the streets by praising his shooters. Conway’s delivery is seamless.
Joey Bada$$ delivers a riveting verse that serves as the perfect conclusion to “Vertino.” In it, he reflects on the trials and tribulations he faced while hustling to make a living in the past. He also talks about enduring police raids and catering to the needs of addicts. I love how powerful and resilient his raps sound.
1. Give & Give
You get one of Conway The Machine’s best performances in “Give & Give.”
In “Give & Give,” Conway The Machine reflects on his opulent lifestyle, brags about his sharp rap skills, and envisions a promising future. He also delves into his competitive spirit, expressing love for dismantling rivals with lines such as “I’m the grim reaper of the rappers, and I’ve got more to torment, It’s more like torture, these aren’t just verses, I’m waterboardin’.” Damn, n***a.
As you can tell by the lyrics I highlighted, Conway The Machine’s wordplay and punchlines in this song are f**king nuts. What makes s**t even more intriguing is that he drops his bars easily and comfortably.
In terms of the production, handled by Cool & Dre, it features poignant piano notes, soulful samples, and powerful percussion, resulting in a masterful backdrop.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Despertar (N/A)
2. Mutty (Ft. Stove God Cooks) (4/5)
3. Give & Give (Ft. Cool & Dre) (5/5)
4. Milano Nights Pt. 1 (4/5)
5. Kin Xpress (Ft. Larry June) (3.5/5)
6. Meth Back! (Ft. Method Man, SK Da King & Flee Lord) (4/5)
7. Ninja Man (Ft. Swizz Beatz) (3.5/5)
8. Vertino (Ft. Joey Bada$$) (4.5/5)
9. Ten/Rya Interlude (Ft. Key Glock & Rya Maxwell) (4/5)
10. Dasani (4/5)
11. Raw! (Ft. Tech N9ne) (4/5)
12. Surf & Turf (Ft. T.F, 2 Eleven, Ab-Soul & Jay Worthy) (4.5/5)
13. Karimi (4/5)
14. The Red Moon in Osaka (Ft. Raekwon) (4/5)
RGM RATING
(B-) (82%)
Conway The Machine consistently releases numerous projects, making it challenging to figure out which ones merit attention. However, Slant Face Killah is undoubtedly one that demands serious consideration
While Griselda may not be as hyped as they were a few years ago, there are still aspects of their music that resonate with me. That said, fans of the Buffalo group will be pleased to find that Slant Face Killah maintains their signature cold beats, outstanding street-inspired guest features, and gritty lyrics. The mean deliveries and savvy punchlines are also present, staying true to their style. However, one drawback for me is that several tracks are unnecessarily long and drag on, with seven songs surpassing the 5-minute mark, which feels outdated for an album in 2024. All in all, Slant Face Killah will give you the Griselda fix you covet.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
