Spring is around the time when numerous new (or underground) acts begin to start making some noise amongst the already congested list of artists looking to take the year by storm. For South London rapper AKS, the build up to his anticipated EP The Bus Stop has been a gradual progression; releasing the well received A Miracle In the Making mixtape, gaining radio plays and doing the mandatory live performances. The Bus Stop hopes to be the vehicle to elevate the imposing lyricist up the ranks of the top emcees emerging from the UK.
A soulful endeavour, AKS digs deep into his emotions to provide many enlightening, straight shooting tales; all recited with much conviction, humour and aggression. The self-titled opener could easily be set to heartbeats as the heavy drums add to the sincerity of AKS’ lyricism on the piano-led track. The sombre mood is given a huge injection of life when the Self Taught Beats produced ‘Worth Waiting For’ gets into gear; its get-up-and-go motif brilliantly captured by the producer as the rapper addresses all who have been patiently (and impatiently) waiting on him.
The Bus Stop smoothly goes from easing, chilled vibes to raucous Hip Hop anthems throughout the eight-track project, never dwindling too much on one emotion before moving swiftly onto the other. The intense nature of ‘Soul Or Sold’ is then followed by the lullaby-esque ‘House Called Home’ but loses none of the honesty or appeal in its swift mood transition.
AKS’ ability to craft complex verses and fist-pumping anthems is key to the EP’s strengths as it produces material which many can digest easily. Where ‘The Monologue’ captures the lyric-driven fans, ‘Truth Be Told’ [featuring upcoming soulstress Kadija Kamara] reaches out to the soul stirred crowd.
One of the most easing, relaxing and pulsating bus journeys which one will experience, AKS’ remarkable EP ensures the wait was worth it and will have many baying for more material. Its reliance on in-depth lyrics and production, rather than gimmicks and catchphrases, should ensure its durability goes beyond the current period. Ticking a majority of boxes for those looking for a new UK lyricist to champion, The Bus Stop may very well go beyond the backpackers and capture the imagination of those enduring the simplistic representations of this artform.
Released: Mar 21, 2011
Label: Less Is More Music
BUY: iTunes / Amazon