Album Review: Bliss N Eso - Off The Grid

Bliss, Eso and their DJ Izm have a settled style. It doesn't change with this, their sixth record.

Rhythmic, pulsing flow occasionally shifting into hyperdrive; consistent delivery with space to get a little cah-razy; big hooks; approachable beats; literal raps with jokes and surprising pop culture references thrown in. We know what we're in for with Bliss N Eso.

Tear The Roof Off is the clearest evidence here, tickling the pleasure centres our hosts have helped us develop over their tenure at the top. Coolin' does the same. There's more complexity with the subject matter on this record, though. Eso's confrontation with alcoholism, and his triumph, are set out straight. Believe is earnest. Travelling Band is a heartfelt victory lap.

Whatever Happened To The DJ, though, is problematic. Without DJs, you see, rap music is not real hip hop. There's discomfort hearing this from white Australians; an element of La La Land awkwardness; white people claiming to do black culture more authentically than black people do.

Off The Grid is aptly named for a couple reasons. Bliss N Eso have never fit neatly into an established subset of Australian rap, and some of the themes here are well outside of the comfort zone. The way we get it, though — the sound — is precisely what we've come to expect.