The album up for review today is a project coming from New Jersey rapper Da$H alongside D.C. artists ANKHLEJOHN and LOOK DAMIEN! titled Honey Sweeter Than Blood. And it's one of the most interesting joints released in 2021. The genesis of the album came about with Da$H and ANKHLEJOHN being fans of each other's music and keeping in touch while doing their solo work. A meeting was set up with Da$H coming to DC and working on tracks inside Damien's home studio called The Red Room (which shares the name of ANKHLEJOHN's debut, check that out here). The album was supposed to have multiple producers, but it was decided for LOOK DAMIEN! to produce the whole thing. One of the main influences came from famed Spanish artist Salvador Dali who has soundbites from an interview of his featured throughout, as well as popular movies. The first single, Mornings at The Maurice, comes equipped with an eerie atmospheric tone blended within the beat as well with a visual attached. Other singles coming from the project are Uncontrolled Substance, Analyze This and Fatal Attraction, all equipped with similar atmospheric and sample laden injections for the production. Both artists bring their A-game with visceral swordsmanship when it comes to the lyrics along with Damien's surgical expertise seared into the album's soundscape. I definitely enjoyed this cinematic project from the dynamic trio and I highly recommend it.

The perfect setting for the album is taking on the open road inside of a blacked out Saab or SL with a "friendly" acquaintance in the passenger.

Standout Tracks: Uncontrolled Substance, Folgers, Diabolique, Analyze This, Farewell

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