Gracias - Elengi

Taken in isolation, tracks such as “Even Out ” hold some of the traditional rap egotism we’ve grown tired of from 50 Cent or Kanye West, but nestled among other, darker tracks, its chorus hook “What you worried ‘bout/be about whatever you be about/even now” summaries Elengi as a story of neurotic self-discovery and the soul searching of dual heritage, plagued with over-hanging memories of the war-stricken 90’s Congo.

Opening track “Repent” drapes androgynous synth obscurities over a keystone spoken-word narrative a la Ghostpoet to accessible and ambitious effect. The newly released video, directed by Taito Kawata, elucidates the song’s formative theme, through an utterly bizarre Grimm-style scene of Finnish children feeding an illuminated Deogracias Masomi himself to strength after finding him K.O’d in a forest.

The metrically trip-hop drum machine that channels Africa with subtle splendour on “Repent” takes centre stage on brass sampling “Even Out”, as well as with the bi-lingual Bantu mantra “Open” and album highlight “OD Cumulus”. The latter opens with dark and simplistic D’n’B sampling, readily comparable to notable influence Burial, propped up with a house synth section and a jungle fusion bridge. Stylistically, Gracias refuses pigeon-holing, by even introducing a 90’s reggae “shabba!” shoutout for good measure.

This genre-bending is something Masomi even makes explicit on the sensual “Slow it Down” (“Me and rap grew apart, fuck cliches”). Dropping the dark edge, it slips into R’n’B territory, finding a richness in layered falsetto samples; this one could float on a Pictureplane or Gold Panda disc with its dance break outro.

In terms of weaker tracks, the vaguely irritating “Burgundy Red” and rhythmically overcomplicated “Sada Yakko” ring frailest, though are commendable in their separateness. There is nowhere Elengi does not take some artistic risk.

Seamless production, fruitful genre mash-ups and lyrics of substance make Elengi indeed a smooth, soulful debut which carves itself a multi-influential identity just as interesting as Masomi’s.
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