chinnu – 29 [LP]

As vast and unexplored as the deepest parts of the ocean, the human psyche holds a treasure chest of emotions and experiences – both of which shine through on chinnu‘s new album 29. Each song offers a distinct glimpse into a different shade of human emotion, akin to cracking open a window into a stormy night.

The album begins with “Black Hole” which sets a powerful precedent for the emotions that overflow through the album. Starting the show with a gripping clip from the HBO series “Succession,” chinnu and producer lowtyde serve up an attention-grabbing precursor to the weighty lyrics that seep through the rest of the song. We get to listen in as our young lyricist wrestles with the expectations placed upon him by others, feeling like he’s pretending to be someone he’s not, and grappling with his identity and his place in the world. Lyrics like “All I ever wanted was less love/ I felt overwhelmed by their hugs/ I don’t think that I need to catch up/ I think I should go and get some drugs/ Pass up on the laughter for the buzz/ Obsessive adolescent at the crux” reveal the mishmash of thoughts and emotions that seems to seethe in this young man’s spirit. It’s a dark but honest way to open an album and it’s something that may be heard by someone who feels like they’re the only one dealing with such feelings.

“Ripple Effect” continues chinnu‘s contemplative journey as it wades through themes of introspection, self-love, and the interconnectedness of life. Over wistful melodies and neck-snapping drums, he reflects on experiences that have shaped him, fissures between himself and his loved ones, and how past decisions cannot be undone but can lead to growth and transformation. He also touches on societal issues, expressing a call to action for change and a desire to break free from the established norms. He criticizes the misuse of resources by those in power and encourages taking a stand against injustice. As the song closes, you do get the sense that chinnu feels a spark of inspiration inside and that rainy days aren’t the only days that lie ahead.

A more animated and enthused chinnu steps to the mic on the song “Erosion“. His erratically spit rhymes slip and slide over producer odellskies‘ jazzy, chillhop instrumental – offering up his thoughts on how fleeting life can be and how each of us searches for some sort of understanding of it all. It’s a high-spirited, double-edged critique of getting older (from a 29-year-old) who may or may not have his tongue in his cheek when he rhymes “I blink and, holy smokes, did life fly by/ still holding on to that rope that I tied to my past/ I hope that I float when I’m tossed off the dock again/ if I sink, let me go, and move on with your life my friend”.

A poignant, yet spirited appeal for authentic identity and genuine connections takes centerstage in “FALSE IDOLS.” The song’s upbeat, almost bubbly instrumental, with its looping stringed instrument melody, creates an energetic yet sober vibe as chinnu expresses a desire to prove himself to himself, encourages following your own path, and recognizes that getting things right as well as getting things wrong are just part of the human experience. As the track closes, this call to embrace individuality is summed up in an unfiltered (and perhaps ironic way given the song’s title) via a sound-byte from Kanye West. This is followed by the piece “Moments With My Father” which lays bare the intense dynamics that often firm up between fathers and sons. chinnu allows us a peek into the complex bond he shares with his own father – navigating through the maze of their relationship with a flat affect flow. There’s a palpable yearning to bridge the gaps that lie between them and find some sort of common ground in their shared experiences. Admittedly, this one hit very close to home for me.

The somber and reflective tone of “Moments With My Father” thread through in “Fundraise” where a delicate, rainy day beat from ghowste is coupled with the young rapper’s cathartic rhymes to create a quietly emotive piece. The song begins with a sound-byte intro, where an artist reflects on the passage of time and the challenges of bringing his artistic creations to fruition. Throughout the following verse, chinnu conveys a sense of want and uncertainty, feeling the weight of past choices and seeking a greater purpose. Moving forward, the groove-laden “ASSUMPTIONS” injects a little energy back into the set with its boom-bap, Latin-jazz-tinged beat. While it touches on the strain of living under the shadow of others’ judgment and feelings of guilt, it also delivers this feeling of closure – as if an unsettled chapter in life is gradually nearing its end.

In the song “Fuck Planning“, chinnu steers his introspective journey toward surreal shores as he lets his thought float over a bed of fluidly flowing synth tones and a shuffling drum loop. With its straight-no-chaser title and zoned-out feel, you get the feeling that our wordsmith has reached a sort of “what will be, will be” acceptance of his life and the world around him. And while that does seem true on one level, you also get a sense that young chinnu has tapped into a newfound drive to change his life for the better.

The final two tracks on 29, ‘Underwater‘ and ‘Empire of Love,’ provide a powerful conclusion to the album’s introspective journey. In ‘Underwater,’ chinnu masterfully crafts a haunting atmosphere through a spoken-word-poetry-like performance. The ethereal instrumentation, with its drumless arrangement and ghostly elements, perfectly complements the stanzas about numbness, pretense, and the quest for love and purpose. Following the contemplative nature of ‘Underwater,’ ‘Empire of Love‘ marks a moment of closure, where a stormy chapter seems to be reaching its end. The warm and soothing beat, adorned with bright flute loops and sweeping strings, sets a delicate yet hopeful tone. chinnu’s voice conveys vulnerability as he reflects on the ins and outs of love, the weight of expectations, and the pursuit of genuine connections. The repeated phrases of ‘I need some patience,’ ‘I need trust,‘ and ‘It’s not enough‘ emphasize the longing for something deeper and more profound in love and life.

With 29 chinnu dives into the bracing waters of his own psyche, grapples with waves of complex emotions, and resurfaces with a trove of treasured insights. Offering a mix of hip-hop, lo-fi beats, and subtly interwoven elements of jazz and poetry, this album soars in its production and lyricism. Don’t miss chinnu’s 29 for a remarkable dose of poetic healing you’ll definitely appreciate.

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