Eagleionline

P.O.S.

One of the freshest sounding hip-hop albums to come out in a while was P.O.S.’s third solo album “Never Better.” The artist, whose real name is Stefon Alexander has at said that the initials stand for various things: “Promise of Skill,”“Piece of Sh*t,” and “Pissed Off Stef;” whichever it is, Alexander makes an amazing album. The album, has a rhythmic rage underlying some amazing rhymes and lyrics that set it apart from myriad other albums of the genre. On first listen to the title track, you might think that it sounds like another Minneapolis rap act, Atmosphere, if Atmosphere was actually good… and black. But getting into the deeper cuts reveals many other influences from Nas and Blackalicious to sounds reminiscent of new metal and industrial.

The lyrics are set at full-clip to ride rolling drums and revving distortion with rhymes so aggressive, cryptic, and unique that even after several listens you don’t fully understand his message. Several songs merely have a drum machine repeating in the background, but it in no way takes away from the power of his words. He references Big Lebowski (on “Let it Rattle” he raps: “You’re out of your element Donny, shut up… the Dude abides), his youth growing up as a black punk (including lyrics from Fugazi), and even uses the word “avoision” coined by Kent Brockman on the Simpsons.  The raps themselves involve intricate internal rhymes, angry yet playful use of English, and a rhythm that breaks meter altogether.

While he classifies his musical style as punk/rap it is certainly more in the latter category. The aforementioned Fugazi lyrics on the song “Savion Glover,” and a couple of the choruses, notably on “Terrorish” sound like an industrial/punk crossover, but the album as a whole is solid hip-hop. From the moment the opening track “Let it Rattle” starts, you can tell that the album is going to be something new, that you will either love or hate, but either way, it is an experience. The entire album is driving and sincere, and while there is a rage in many of his songs, there is also some self-aware mockery and joy.

With his background, and the help of the independent hip hop scene of Minneapolis, P.O.S. is the fusion of his environment and his influences. He focuses heavily on beats and lyrics, but utilizes the power of shouting vocals and electric guitars to emphasize his emotions. At times, the songs are heavy, like the furious chorus of “Purexed” or the bombast of “Drumroll;” at other times, they are introspective and socially conscious. It is hard to classify the songs, or even the album (which attests to the quality and beauty of it as a whole). It is certainly a refreshing and enjoyable work that hopefully marks a sign of a new type of hip-hop.