review by Helen Brown
The art of blending hip hop with a multitude of genres is on the rise and has recently been done by Bliss & Eso and East Londoner Plan B. The latest to be inducted into the fold is Chance Waters, a Sydney hip hop artist with a social conscience.
From crumbling societies and the end of the world, to the joys of young love, Chance Waters has collaborated with the likes of Kate Martin, Lilian Blue and Bertie Blackman among many others to produce Infinity, an album peppered with indie folk, bluesy guitars, piano organs and catchy heartfelt lyrics that fluctuate between bleak and hopeful.
‘Conjure Up A Fire’ is a stand out track reminding us that we have the power to make a difference, that we should never follow the masses and never be afraid to find our voice.
The lyrics contain typical political clichés along the lines of falling for anything if you stand for nothing, but there are also clever and quirky lines like “I bite my tongue in the shape of a smile.”
‘Young And Dumb’ is another highlight and features the vocal talent of aforementioned Blackman. The cute music box introduction sets the scene for the lovey dovey theme of the track, and is woven with a catchy drum snare and brass section.
There are many thought-provoking moments on Infinity, saying that friends form the “stepping stones” of our lives and help us into adulthood to become good people. On the flip side is yet another standout ‘Neverland’, a personal track about a family being torn apart by an abusive man who refuses to grow up and accept his responsibilities. The bongo drumming on this track gives it all the more depth.
The album ends with ‘The Little Things’ – which drives home the notions of appreciating the important things in life, not stressing the things that don’t matter and making the most of the present.
Infinity strikes the right balance between fantasy and reality. This bi-polar album strives to make sense of life in general and make us question what we really know.
(my rating: 4 out of 5)