Album Review: Seth Sentry - This Was Tomorrow

Ever since Seth Sentry raced to national attention in 2009 courtesy of a kitschy, catchy song about crushing on a waitress, fans have been waiting for his debut album. After three years, that wait is finally over – and, as it turns out, it was worth it. This Was Tomorrow is an excellent record.

Seth Sentry's laidback, quirky style is an antidote to the rough, tough party sounds of Australian hip hop, yet he can still create catchy tracks capable of having a big impact. With broad ranges of both subject matter and beats (the likes of Matik and Stylaz Fuego have been enlisted on production), This Was Tomorrow is richly diverse, anchored by Seth Sentry's unique lyrical style and viewpoint.

This Was Tomorrow showcases the Melbourne MC's almost uncanny knack for wordplay. He can deploy rhymes, puns, deadpan humour and unexpected segues at will – sometimes within seconds of each other. His tracks are often funny without becoming clichéd parodies, with Room For Rent a clear standout. The lyrics capture the hellish sharehouse experience and the song craft is impeccable – this one will stay with you for days.

Seth Sentry has an innate ability to look at tired topics with fresh eyes. His distaste for the rat race has been long-established, but in writing a track from the narrative point of view of a yuppie confronted by the zombie apocalypse – Where Was You (When The Dead Come Walkin')? – he finds a new way to explore the ordinariness of the middle class. Whether turning his attention to the grind of the restaurant industry (Thanks For Your Hospitality) or society's lack of hoverboards (Dear Science), his lyrics are sharp and clever.

On This Was Tomorrow, Seth Sentry proves that hip hop doesn't have to be loud or obvious in order to be catchy. The album shrugs off the clichés of Australian hip hop and revels in its innovation.