The pairing of Edan’s beats with Homeboy Sandman’s rhymes is a good hip-hop combination. Over the seven tracks of this Stones Throw EP, the New York City-based duo put faith in a blend of gritty, abrasive drum loops, psychedelic sample flourishes, and smartly-recited flows.
Eerie opener “Grim Seasons” incorporates wailing guitars and shapeshifting atmospherics that prompt Homeboy Sandman to warn “shit is spooky — you ain’t got to wait ’til Halloween.” Backed by thick layers of static in the mix, the two hosts take turns grabbing the mic on “The Gut,” with Edan imploring, “Philosophy, theology, astronomy, astrology / The individual versus the colony / Society, conformity / Reality is none of these and all of these — just listen to your gut.”
But the standout moment comes via the viciously sarcastic “#NeverUseTheInternetAgain.” Embracing a proud grumpy old man persona, Boy Sand rips into the lazy tendencies of modern online culture, complete with what should be the immortal barb, “Order a pizza like a fuckin’ person!”
Homeboy Sandman & Edan, Humble Pi (Stones Throw Records)
