(Go to 0:55 to skip the intro)

Cities Aviv is an artist that I was introduced to through my exploration into Memphis rapper Lukah's music this year, who's amazing recent record I reviewed, and who I interviewed last month.

And just like Lukah, Cities is one of the best musical discoveries I've had in a long time. From Memphis as well, Cities has been making cutting-edge hip-hop music for the past decade.

This album is like a bowl of lucky charms, with every single bite being that perfect mix of cereal and marshmallow charms... notice how I didn't say the album was consistent bites of JUST the marshmallow charms.

That's because the album has a perfect balance to it, walking the tightrope between a lot of variety of moods and textures. Never too sweet, too cold, or too abrasive.

This album is so VIBRANT, exuding colour and life, just as the beautiful album artwork would suggest. These beats truly have a life of its own.

Cities' rapping adds a great dimension of engagement to his music that really puts this album over the top. I always appreciated his lyricism, but the flows and the larger focus put on his lyrics on this album, in comparison with some of his recent work.... was an absolute highlight.

It’s not like lyrically Cities is “good for a producer rapper”... he’s legit good. His lyrics are often strikingly emotional and introspective, seeing Cities pour out his innermost thoughts and demons.

His vocals are not only sharp, but they tend to fit so snugly within these instrumental tapestries that he's built.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "Talking to the Flowers"

Listen to THE CRASHING SOUND OF HOW IT GOES here: https://citiesaviv.bandcamp.com/album/the-crashing-sound-of-how-it-goes 

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