Default Universe is a rap duo that thrives on carving their own path and experimenting with their sound however they want. “CHASUI” is no different, finding heavy inspiration in the Japanese Ero Guro art movement and Pinkeiga film genre to create a very unique album.

To start, the overarching themes of “CHASUI” are sex and horror blended together, but that doesn’t mean it takes the same tone or style as the earlier Slim Shady albums. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If you aren’t really paying attention to the lyrics, you might not even realize what it’s really about, and that’s thanks to the well crafted production, coupled by a largely monotone vocal performance. It doesn’t come off as even remotely sinister at first, instead meandering somewhere in the territory of sleepy or lethargic. To me, that’s what makes this album so intriguing.

The production isn’t perfect, but every single bit of it was done with intention. The only issues I have are with the balance of some interludes that loop a very loud and filtered, choppy synth. It’s just a bit too harsh to listen to repeatedly. Other than that, it’s stellar. The love that was poured into each beat is evident right from the beginning as they’re all extremely detailed and full. The mellow, LoFi-esque nature of the project creates a certain atmosphere that completely contradicts the lyrics if you were to read them out loud with no accompanying soundtrack, and it’s almost ironic how attention grabbing it is.

Speaking of the lyrics, I’m not really sure how to judge them. They’re just so off the wall and raunchy that I don’t know what to take seriously and what not to. However, I am pretty confident that the point is more so how the lines are presented rather than what their content is. As I stated earlier, the delivery form Default Universe is extremely monotone and flat, almost as if they’re entirely numb to their surroundings. There is so little interest and emotion going into their words, but it aligns itself with the instrumentals nicely and I firmly believe that it’s a very intentional stylistic choice. Listening to someone describe the way they use another person’s brain matter as a lubricant with no emotional conviction in any way is what makes this album simultaneously horrifying, but also kind of interesting. The lackadaisical way every grotesque bit of imagery is relayed to the listener makes it almost feel like what we’re listening to are the deranged ramblings of a quiet sociopath as he recounts his previous encounters that landed him in a rubber room and straitjacket.

This album is definitely not for everyone, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t artistic or Hip Hop at it’s core. It’s just very different than what most people are accustomed to. Give it a listen and decide for yourself.

Rating: 7/10

Highlights: Production, Delivery, Style

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Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

In 2017, rap duo Default Universe released an album titled “Deep Swim.” They’re making the rounds now, but how does it hold up today?

My first listen to “Deep Swim” didn’t leave me too impressed. There are a few things which I will mention that I feel need to be improved or addressed. However, my second and third listens were much more revealing to the artistry layered beneath the surface.

There is a consistently spacey, retro theme throughout the project. Each beat Coupled with the mellow, seemingly emotionless flows from Ice Peccinetti and Milofuk0, the listener is given a unique musical experience that would be hard to replicate by anyone. These two are truly passionate artists, and the care for their craft is very evident in every track.

However, there are a lot of samples, and although this is in no way a problem, the duration, splicing, and mixing of some of these samples are not done ideally. For instance, there is a sample of the old Batman theme song, and it essentially just rolls through the whole thing. At least twice I figured it would have ended and felt complete, but instead it went on and on. There are other samples throughout the project that also feel a bit too long, and others that are spliced kind of awkwardly, but none that rival the Batman theme song. Another thing that could have been done better was the mixing and leveling of what I believe is a reverse 808 kick drum. It doesn’t sound bad, it just drowns out the vocals and is a little too sharp on the ears. Other than those two things, I feel the production of the project is very very strong.

As far as the lyrics go, I wasn’t super impressed initially. They tend to use off beat rhyme schemes, and due to how uncommon that style is, it comes off as a lack of skill at first. The more I listened, though, the more I realized that the majority of their bars are oozing with creativity and style. the rhymes themselves are not all that impressive, but the delivery is just that.

My final thoughts on the album are that the mixing needs a little bit of work, the writing is unique, and the production is solid. I wouldn’t say that “Deep Swim” is a classic, but is at least worth a listen.

Highlights: Production, Flow

Rating: 6/10

Check out the Default Universe website, and their Simple Statements clothing line.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com