BLOODCAT’s 12 track expedition on catcall$ 4 (director’s cut) is a trap escapade like few others. The Saint Louis based rapper sees himself gliding on beats that are wayward, experimental, and otherworldly at times. Bringing a significantly distinct and fresh flow to the scene over these rather unique beat choices, you’re left with a record that manages to separate itself from the increasingly crowded pasture of modern trap music. From the opener of ‘charcuterie’ onwards, there’s a constant preference towards increasingly more outlandish and infectious sonic choices.
The lyrics traverse self-care, bounding back, and moving forward while constantly bringing out beat choices that leave you not for one moment in the slightest bored with what’s on display. A song like ‘vip’ is so distinct from the opener, a much more fast paced and pulsating onslaught of bars and jagged beats. Then, on ‘bonsai’, you’re treated to a much more mellow and lackadaisical flow that’s able to smoothen the beats out to a much more easy going tune. ‘two-step pussy’ sees the futurism taken up a notch for an almost hyper-pop inspired tune that leans into the vocal processing styles of the genre. The experimentalism almost increases exponentially towards the end, with a song like ‘catatonic’ feeling like a sermon over an industrial arrangement to boot. Similarly, the hyper-pop inspired processing and delivery reaches new heights on the tracks final two records.
What’s perhaps most impressive about BLOODCAT’s latest record is the sheer willingness and desire to stand out from the crowd. It’s decisively unique, constantly pushing boundaries, and entirely fresh from back to front. A real beacon in modern hip-hop, treading effectively between the lines of a multitude of contemporary sounds and production styles that are far and away the most diverse and path-breaking ones you’re going to see.