Album Review: Dialectrix - The Cold Light Of Day

Sydney rapper Dialectrix has once again hooked up with producer Plutonic Lab to help him craft his third album for Obese Records, The Cold Light Of Day. The title of the album acts as more than just a nice familiar phrase; it's a wake-up call to other rappers to step their game up.

Right out the gates he raises the bar on Shadow In The Light – a sparse jazz break becomes the main drum line – heaps of cymbal crashes and a beat that's hard to grab onto for everyone but Dtrix who easily weaves his lyrics throughout the confusion, pulling it all together. Plutonic Lab's beats throughout are sophisticated and sharp. The jazzy, soul vibe carries across the record, impacted with time signature changes, experimental arrangements and varying dynamics. Go, Take Flight and one of the record's real highlights Black & Gold really use these smooth elements brilliantly. Black & Gold sees Dtrix put down one of his fastest rhymes ever, the rapid fire delivery is enunciated and crisp and while you may struggle to keep up even just listening, you can't miss the fire and the skill. Black & Gold's loose theme of 'no frills' sums up the record's philosophy – no gimmicks, just real hip hop with a distinct individual flavour. Style features fellow Sydney MC P.Smurf on a loose, chilled beat peppered with synth lasers and scratches from 2Buck.

It takes a couple of listens through the record to really figure out what is going on and realise what a landmark recording this is, and how well Dtrix and Plutonic Lab have this shit figured out.