26 Nov 2018 // A review by Freecell

NZ Hip-Hop/RNB artist Melodownz has been busy in the studio working on his new 10 track EP Melo & Blues.

The first track Get Money featuring Louis Baker has a smooth intro with some lush soft notes from the keys and some true to life lyrics. The lyrics in particular "My momma told me it's not about the money, yea well when my bank account gets low my anxiety runs high" are brilliant lyrics with a stunning poetic flow. The blues guitar and keyboards combined with Hip-Hop beat drops sounds awesome. The backing vocals and suave singing style all gels brilliantly together. The Lyrics by Louis Baker on the chorus is the perfect fit for this slick, polished track. Get Money is very professional, and uplifting and I could have played it on forever.

Peace $igns, Gang $igns is a standout track whereby the lyrics have an amazing flow of opposites - taking you on a journey with the poetic and intellectual word play. Along with the nice bass and keyboards, Peace $igns, Gang $igns has a pleasant Hip-Hop flow with smooth riddims and phat bass lines.

$moke is another brilliant track and features Villette. Starting with a nice blues guitar and an interesting use of words in the lyrics, the bass lines are thumping and the arrangement of all the instruments is on point. The lyrics from Villette are sexy with an RnB feel. When both singers come in with the full sound of the band its absolute bliss with such a sleek flow. This track brings a totally fresh sound for NZ Hip-Hop/RnB.

The rhymes from Coops on Infinite are fresh and fast on the flow with excellent guitar riffs. The arrangement of the band is can be described as groovy with loads of cool AF rhyming! There must be over a thousand words used in this track. The drumbeat is dope. There's an awesome trumpet solo on the outro which really completes it. Loyal has an interesting stormy intro with female vocals fading in and Melodownz singing the lyrics "gotta be loyal". This track has a classic old school Hip-Hop feel. The combinations of words throughout Loyal song is profound.

There's a stunning and unique intro on Wiiild with lush sounding keyboards and an interesting wah sounding synth sound which really adds a dance feel to the track. Overall, it's an amazing mix of sounds and rhymes and it's so different to anything I've heard for a while - I'd call it inspirational. This track is on fire! When the beat kicks in the full sound of the song opens up. The next track, Kava and Herbs featuring Israel Starr is full to the brim of Reggae and island vibes. This song has a floaty feel, with Hip-Hop synths, keyboards and bassline holding the song together. I really enjoyed this tune and it sounds well mixed and mastered. A great mix of Hip-Hop, Reggae and island vibes.

Natural instantly has a modern RnB feel, but it has its own original feel and gives us a very bouncy dancing song. The bridge opens up the song to another level. Melodownz lyrics are funny but smooth and poetic AF. Natural is a great song with the instruments, vocals and beat all blending so well together it's truly dope.

Abundance features Troy Kingi and I love it how the instrument arrangement is so unpredictable that it makes it so interesting. It has loads of soul to this song just like the whole album. When Troy Kingi's vocals come in on the chorus, it's very soulful and uplifting. The intro on Melo & Blues is something else with an unknown synth sound. It keeps my interest and works well with the beat and bassline. This would be a great live song at a festival or club show. Melodownz goes full turbo on the rapping with poetic stamina.

Melodownz is a perfect name for him. It relates to his rapping style, as he raps smooth and soft with sophisticated content.

This sound is so unique. This whole album is fire! It is fresh, unique, and the originality is next level. The songs are smooth and easy going, very danceable, soulful and timeless. Melodownz has produced an EP of exceptional quality with 10 tracks and 39 minutes of pure talented Hip-Hop and RnB. He is certainly one of the most talented artists I've reviewed for some time.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ ( 5 / 5 )

MELODOWNZ is proof that thought-provoking, lyrical hip-hop is alive and here to stay. The Maori/Samoan artist has become a local community champion proudly taking New Zealand rap to the world stage with co-signs from Bas, Dreamville, and Flying Lotus, and collabs from the likes of Denzel Curry, Bootsy Collins, and Maxo Kream.

After years of anticipation, in 2022 MELODOWNZ unveiled his debut album, Lone Wolf, via Def Jam ANZ. The record is a tale of love, loss, and learning, rich with full circle synchronicity, duality, and spirituality that’s been a present theme throughout the Gemini rappers life. Formed across Avondale home studios, remote writing camp sessions, and an LA recording trip, the multidimensional record features collaborations with Houston gangster rapper Maxo Kream, Florida heavyweight Denzel Curry, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter INK, singer-songwriter Bleu, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ant Clemons (Kanye West, Beyonce), among illustrious producer credits from Grammy-award winning producers Bizness Boi and DJ Khalil. Returning full circle to his Auckland community with collaborations from local legends Diggy Dupé, Troy Kingi and Bailey Wiley, the Avondale intermediate choir, and more, MELODOWNZ is ready to take Avondale to the world - and he’s bringing his community along with him.

2023 saw Melo tour Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland with Banished Music, wrapping the tour with a particularly special show at the Hollywood Avondale that featured an impactful performance from the Avondale Intermediate Choir. He approaches a packed summer with main stage performances at Northern Bass, Rolling Meadows, and Splore.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for MELODOWNZ

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