Public Enemy is one of the most impactful acts in hip hop history. Their career has clocked 30 years and shows no signs of stopping. They have consistently put out strong projects since 1987 and this year they dropped a new album titled “Nothing is Quick in the Desert” which just so happens to be free so you can download it from the group’s BandCamp page at zero cost. I downloaded a copy and spent some time going through it and here’s a very quick review.
The album has 13 tracks which is a good number and clocks in at 40 minutes making it just long enough to leave you satisfied but not too long that you get tired of listening. There is no filler content in this project. The overall sound is very different from anything you’ll hear in the modern day sound scape, so that already helps it to stand out. The production is in your face and contains a lot of rock elements. Almost every song is scattered with live instrumentation most notably rock guitars. Live drums and live horns are also used quite extensively which help to differentiate the album from the typical trap drum programming of today.
One thing that’s also notable is the vocal mixing. A lot of vocals on this album were run through guitar amps resulting in a gritty, dirty, metallic feel to many of the tracks. All the tracks sound like they were written and recorded for this particular project. In other words the tracks are cohesive and all fit together to paint a bigger picture.
The vocals and lyrics sound authentic and not forced at all. PE knows exactly who they are and they are not trying to fit into the current climate. They have not lost their identity whatsoever. If you fell in a comma in1989 when “Fight the Power” was all over the radio and woke up today and listened to “Nothing is Easy in the Desert” you would still be able to identify the voice of PE. The production may be updated but PE is still PE. They’re still revolutionary, confrontational and not afraid to speak their mind. This album contains the social commentary and political rap we’ve come to love from PE.
The track “sPeak!” encourages people to speak their mind, take responsibility for their actions, and discuss issues before they get out of hand as opposed to turning to guns to solve their problems. This is clearly inspired by the ever-increasing violent crimes that occur in places like Chicago.
“Yesterday Man” looks at how things have changed drastically from past years. It sounds like a message to the youth who seem not to be concerned with knowing their history. The new and current isn't always better than the old and tested.
“Exit your mind” is a short interlude which implores black people to be original and stop copying.
“So Be It” is another great track which conveys the message of ‘be the change you want to see in the world’. Don’t complain about how things need to be, instead let change start with you.
“Sells Like Teens Hear It” is notable in that it has a full Flava Flav verse while the final track “Rest in Beats (Part 1 & 2)” is a beautiful tribute to hip hop personalities that passed. It’s a truly beautiful track which closes out a beautiful album.
As usual with a PE album though you need to listen to it multiple times before you can fully digest everything in it and this definitely is one which will be easy to listen to at later times.
