Album Review: Nasa Grounded - The Vibe between Stars (2022)
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| Picture Credit: Nasa Grounded / Michael Aguilar |
Nasa Grounded - The Vibe between Stars
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Label: selfrelease / Runneth Over Entertainment
Format: Digital
Duration: 41:07
Genre: Hip Hop / R'n'B / Indie Rap
Origin: Arizona, USA
With his latest album "The Vibe between Stars", Arizonan artists Michael Aguilar, also known as Nasa Grounded, is presenting an honest and autochthonous independent release. Every verse and every chorus on the dozen tracks featured on "The Vibe between Stars" were written by Nasa Grounded. That does not mean that the artist is the only voice we can hear when listening to the album. Guest vocals, both rapped and sung, were contributed by Touré Masters, Julia Cutler, Prince Aubrey, Yvgn Jenks, Alaina Rodriguez, Devin Sunshine, Lexi Cline, Joel Cossette, Choclett P, and Gavi.
In preparation for this review, I listened to Nasa Grounded's previous longplayer "The Spacetapes, Vol. I" which appeared a little crude and half-baked in some aspects. Announcing the full-length release on hand, Aguilar stated that his target was to improve his music completely: from planning and writing over producing and perfoming until the finishing touch. And without focusing on the previous album too precisely, I can constate that Nasa Grounded's target has successfully been attained.
"The Vibe between Stars" can (sort-of) be described by three Vs - versatility, variety, and veritableness (well, honesty or independence would've fit, too, but these words do not begin with a V).
Nasa Grounded and his guest vocalists cover a wide range in the two spheres of musical style and mood. Tough Rap vocals as in the banger track 'If my Career was Anime' (video above) go alongside sweet R'n'B and Indie Rap anthems like 'Arizona'. Also, sensual and heart-warming ballads such as 'Down' are not displaced next to the empowering and uplifting hymn that 'Success' is.
Tracks that protrude especially are the mentioned songs 'If my Career was Anime', 'Down' and 'Arizona', and also 'Avatar Abyss'. The latter is a deeply emotional track that was inspired by the TV series "Avatar - The Last Airbender". Together with Julia Cutler, Nasa Grounded takes the audience to a trip between love and depression in fictional universe of the anime. And speaking of anime, the next track 'If my Career was Anime' is by far the most banging title on "The Vibe between Stars". For those who love their Rap music 90s style, raw and banging, this might be the go-to track of the album.
The more sensual and smooth Indie Rap sphere is represented by the two tracks 'Down' and 'Arizona' amongst others. The very physical love song 'Down' which features guest singer Choclett P is a steaming hot R'n'B and Indie banger that seamlessly ties on to the club hits of the Millenium era. And then, before the album fades out into 'Infinity', Nasa Grounded, Touré Masters and Julia Cutler provide their audience with an emotional and beautiful love sing for their home state Arizona.
Is there anything to criticize? Well, for my personal taste, the proportion of tough rap in relation to smooth sounds could have been higher. Also, the vocal style of the opener 'Ice Cold' (video above) sounds a bit too bored to my ears, although I believe that contemporary Rap music uses this stylistic device frequently.
Nasa Grounded sounds a lot more like himself compared to his previous release which reminded me of an Atmosphere-sound-a-like frequently. And thus, Nasa Grounded and his guests have hereby produced an honest and autochthonous collection of contemporary Rap music for the club, the bar, the gym, and for calm moments.
Nasa Grounded Online:
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Music from this release has been added to the following dynamic playlists:
MangoRotation
The Mango 100: Candlelight & Campfire
The Mango 100: Indie Pop / Shoegaze
The Mango 100: Party
The Mango 100: Rap / Hip Hop
The Mango 100: Soul / R'n'B
The Mango 100: Workout
Sound of the USA: The Mango 100
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