Wildcard – Western Promises [LP]

Say hello to your new on-repeat album, a 16-track set called Western Promises, that comes to you courtesy of the prolific rhyme maker, Wildcard. Stirring, visceral, and even twistedly funny at times, the album is a masterwork of brutally honest storytelling and searing lyricism. It takes you on an all-gas/no-brakes ride through the mind of a man who has seen his share of life’s ups and downs and has no problem sharing his stories with the world.

Diving in headfirst, the album opens with a simmering tide of wailing guitars, stalking synthesizers, and thuddy drums by way of the title track which was curated by producer Johnny Slash. Holding nothing back, the lyrics sink deep into Wildcard’s psyche, tackling the heavy luggage of death, being locked up, personal relationships, trauma, and the vice-like grip of addiction. The verses seethe with raw emotions and thoughts of struggles faced, whether those are largely personal or societal. The anchor of the song lies in the honest words of the chorus: “Let’s roll and cruise through my mind / Look at all my wins and look at my losses / I can say I tried but why God / Cant nobody tell me shit/ I can’t stop this.” It’s Wild laying his cards bare and hitting the right notes.

“I was super-inspired for this album, to the point I was writing at parks and on the beach on sunny days…I just stayed open-minded and let the creative juices flow.”

Wildcard talking about how Western Promises came to be

“The Chaser” surfs on the wild waves of the dynamic music industry, hitting the shores of an overcrowded digital age. Wildcard, with his iron-willed voice, stands his ground against assertive beats and guitar cuts. This sonic chronicle does not shy away from the troubled journey of staying ahead, it reflects an unflinching spirit refusing setbacks. Jumping on the same vibe, “The Rim” is Wildcard‘s open heart surgery, dissecting jealousy, finding oneself, and the stubborn fire to keep on keeping on. The tune unravels his transformation into a rapper, singing a chorus of resilience and an unyielding spirit that beats against the odds. The first quarter of the album is completed with the track “Pink Diamonds“, an introspective piece presenting some of the Washington-by-way-of-Cali emcee’s personal and professional experiences over a jazzy guitar loop and boom-bap drum loop. The song sets a sober yet nostalgic tone, beginning with references to pressure and depression. But as the track progresses, elements of euphoria emerge, underscoring passion for music and the healing power of art. Wildcard’s story keeps listeners invested through vivid descriptions and a delicate balance of bravado and humility.

https://open.spotify.com/track/18ID0hLIxKjY2dHuTvHfgP?si=35d8110444a84abf

Advancing to the second act of the album, the cut “Cali Driver” unravels as a storytelling spin, a journey across towering life hurdles, accentuated by bright spots and emotional lows. It offers up quick-cut scenes of Wildcard‘s life as well as the life of guest emcee A-Wax. Both artists run down the line of a host of memories and thoughts, touching on shady exes, escapism through drugs, street codes, and the relentless drive to keep moving forward. In particular, A-Wax‘s verse carries forward a grim realism as he speaks on the violence and struggles in his life story. His retelling of being locked up (“Seems like only yesterday they had me upstate boxed in”) coupled with his crystal clear understanding of the laws of the jungle (“If you spending all your money to get high you on some knock shit/ Wouldn’t last a minute ’round the killers that I rock with/ Flexing on the ‘Gram, we hit that backdoor like a locksmith…“) draws the listener in and makes them feel like they’re sitting with A, sharing stories over some smoke.

“Nightmare,” rings true to its title, drawing listeners into the dark corners of addiction and past traumas, becoming a mirror to Wildcard’s full-throttle life. The booming beats, breakneck flows, and eerie choruses show how the rapper continues to confront his cruel adversities. Meanwhile, “Saint Chris” operates on a more amped-up and electric beat, narrating Wild‘s experiences dealing with sex, self-control, the pressures of life on the road, and the complexities of fame. The tune’s kinetic energy (laid out by producer $imple) and soul-stirring choruses by singer Justin Cohen, stand in stark contrast to “Nightmare” but both tunes show the various sides of the wordsmith’s uphill battle with addiction. Just when the depth of introspection has been explored, “Party for the Dead” comes to play, setting a bittersweet but celebratory tone as its headnod beat and “live life to the fullest” verses raise a toast to the departed as well as the living. This track stirs a mix of somber reflection and spirited celebration – a dope paradox that absolutely draws you in.

“They switching channels when they listen to me, bitch I’m a handful / My spit is just flammable / Death is really your disadvantage / Because I’m trying to live longer just to make these freaks scream / with a condom covering my pole just like a street team…”

(from “Party for the Dead”)

At the album’s halfway point, “The Era” unfolds as less of a critique and more as a “braggin’ writes” rap where Wildcard confidently asserts his place within the sex, drugs, and money-driven culture that pervades today’s society. Far from voicing disapproval, his lyrics unapologetically broadcast his ability to thrive and capitalize on the underlying themes of this current era. As the album proceeds with “Place the Blame,” the narrative gains depth by emphasizing Wildcard’s personal history. The previous air of self-assuredness gets tangled up with moments of vulnerability, adding a layer of complexity to his story. Here, he deftly navigates the family dynamics between himself, his father, and his grandfather as well as breaks down his struggles with love, loyalty, and loneliness.

The tracks “Operator” and “Bewitched” are two solid numbers that reveal different aspects of Wildcard’s reality, all while keeping it 100% raw and real. In “Operator,” our hero teams up with rappers BARZ! and Lateb to gift the scene with an authentic anthem. As the beat pummels the speakers, we dip into a razor-sharp “let me talk my shit” type joint where the three artists trade bars about being at the top of their game. Right after that, we get “Bewitched,” where Wildcard and Savvy Rae peel back the curtain on an intense and stormy love affair riddled with jealousy, insecurity, possessiveness, and other relationship landmines. Wildcard casts himself as a man torn between his obsessive love and the torment of mistrust. His raw, unfiltered rhymes reveal a heart on edge, flaring and fading between love and hate, feeling hooked on his lady one minute and shook the next. Meanwhile, Savvy Rae kills it with her self-aware, “no BS allowed” rhymes and attitude – even though she still finds herself caught up in this toxic web of love. Her lyrics zero in on societal typecasts, pushing back against conventional views of women and upholding her freedom and individuality. Her charged lines call out the double standards of gender roles with no holds barred. She spits “Oh, now your pride’s hurt / Well guess what? mine’s in the dirt / I guess I’m supposed to dim my light just cause you’re fucking insecure / Ex dope fiend / I fuck some guy and now I’m just a hoe? Please / You fuck a bag whore and get a motherfuckin’ trophy”.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2AcVfv5NUE0zXt26n83RTl?si=c08b9bc7d2a84073

The closing set of tracks commences with a Stu Bangas-produced cut called “Circles” which dives into the isolating spiral of addiction, shedding a grim light on substance abuse and self-destructive patterns. Through potent metaphors, like equating addiction to a relentless cycle of a zombie apocalypse Wildcard paints a vivid picture of the struggle. Following this, “Pick Your Battles“ lives up to its name as it hashes out the wisdom of knowing when to stand your ground and when to let things slide over a hard-charging mix of fuzzed-out guitars and punchy boom-bap drums. The different ways that we deal with pride and ego pop up often in the song, stressing the potential harm that they can bring to those of us just trying to make it one day at a time. Taking the baton from the previous tracks, “Glass Moon Deluxe” opens its saga of love, loss, and relationships.

Bringing Midwest legend Krayzie Bone into the mix, Wild etches out an enduring and confessional piece set against a backdrop of crashing snares and mournful guitar riffs. The deep-layered sound of the track curls around the lyrics, pumping up the visuals triggered by the sweet yet sad recollections it holds. The album signs off with “Death Card“, a weighty cut that takes a hard look at harsh truths and the human psyche. With an unflinching look at death, anxiety, and life’s corners, it’s a journey that hits harder each listen. It’s a peek into Wildcard’s thoughts, echoing with a ghostly vibe that sticks with you.

Wildcard brings to light the stark realities of life with vivid clarity in Western Promises. The sincerity in his storytelling style wraps around each track, making it a compelling auditory experience. Each cut hits hard with its authenticity, pulling listeners into the emcee’s world of highs and lows. If your tastes in hip-hop gravitate towards heavy, steel-cut beats and raw-like-Reservoir-Dogs-type rhymes, then you will definitely dig what Wildcard has to offer with Western Promises. Check out Western Promises on your favorite streaming platform right now via Quality Music.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6pkPTIK83gf30yMdns2B0p

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