YOU KNOW WHAT RHYMES WITH ORANGE?
Depression is an interesting thing. It could be bright and beautiful all around you, but your mind constantly pulls toward the darkness.
You feel negative, therefore you focus on the negative.
And until you break out of that funk, it's hard to look around and notice the joy that's actually out there.
It isn't about the weather (although, that sometimes helps). It's about finding what makes you feel purposeful. What makes you feel fulfilled. What makes you feel... happy.
The Great Escape comes on the heels of Eric's darkest material to date.
Not just The Morbid The Merrier (2021), but EPs and singles that wreaked of hopelessness. Not just in terms of beat selection and sound - but overarching themes, lyrics, and even vocal complexion.
It's time for some sunshine.
And not just a couple rays.
A continued ride through his "Escape" series, Eric further demonstrates his maturity in lyrical ability, concept and arrangement, and production work - while at the same time, allowing listeners to adventure alongside him as he finally escapes years worth of self-wrought gloom.
The Great Escape showcases a change in tune starting with the cover art.
Skinned in orange as a poetic parallel to "singin' the blues" - it's a glimpse at what's in store and almost feels ironic, considering the long-running rap joke that nothing rhymes with orange...
Finally, an upbeat album.
Finally, some hope.
Finally, positivity.
Let us begin.
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Promised Land
8/10
A mysterious introduction track with a vibe mostly set by the ominous choral vocals. The hook isn't necessarily singable. But it is memorable. It's full of energy. And such clarity and crispness in the delivery and audio capture. It sets the stage for a high-value piece of art that's about to ensue that you know was months in the making. He literarily (*not autocorrected) walks you into his new life - one perhaps happier - based on the established storyline. A strong opening at that.
Best Easter Egg: It's A Wonderful Life
Tangerine Skies
7/10
It's melancholy. A not-so-subtle 180 shift from the previous track. But the Hobbit symbolism still helps to relay the adventure theme, with an emphasis on actually finding that new life he's been searching for. The strings are relaxing while the Raleigh scenery gets painted in words. Each line is a brushstroke that slowly but surely helps bring the album cover to life.
Best Easter Egg: “Quick - to the back door.”
Party
9/10
This track is a musical cocktail: The Weekend blended with Angel Dust and, of course, a splash or two of sunshine. It's no wonder this was released as the lead single with a supporting music video - it's the clear winner for replay value, mainstream favorability, and matches that warm & sunny vibe we're all craving on the first day of spring. Eric comes through again. Leeky comes through again. And don't deny ThatKidGoran, who also comes through, once again.
Best Easter Egg: Air Force Ones
Lotus Elise
9/10
Eric lyrically takes the album to new heights here while matching the same high-caliber set with his improved and now-professional mixing abilities. An homage to Sega GT 2002, a metaphor for the game's top car (in terms of looks, not necessarily speed), he creates a before and after, old vs new, Utica vs Raleigh, where he's now using his experience, ups and downs, and self-admitted stagnation as fuel to drive off to start a new life. Adlibs, layers, and effects demonstrate his knack for modern production without overdoing it or taking away from his storytelling.
Best Easter Egg: “Need a ride? Get a car.”
Not Quite Human
8/10
There's an extreme amount of dynamics on this track - from the well-paced to choppy flow change, to the verse 1 to verse 2 beat switch up. It might be the starkest track yet that shows his maturity as a rapper - in terms of thematics, of course, but mostly in terms of delivery, sound, and pace. 2018 Generic could never. Overall, not the strongest track on the album. But strong nonetheless.
Best Easter Egg: “Can I have the attention of the class?”
Diary of a Madman
6/10
Almost feels like an interlude. A one-shot verse pinned between a DJ tag and a miniature outro. With no room to breathe on either end, Eric spills his heart out with the frustrations of mental struggles and inner demons. At first glance, it seems out of place with the upbeat theme that he's been almost shouting from the rooftops since the moment the album began. But this snippet of darkness shows it's always a constant battle. Like the devil on your shoulder who never lets up. Where it's become an almost daily routine to flick him off. I'm not in love with the track itself. But I understand the important part it plays.
Best Easter Egg: N/A
Crucio
10/10
This one strikes all the chords. Vocal inflections that rival some of the most animated artists ever. Effects that add depth and uniqueness. A catchy hook that's emotional but repeatable. And rhymes that blend together so well it's almost as if they were meant to be. It's an all-around perfect track that patches the holes poked by its previous counterpart. Eric returns here with not a vengeance but an understanding that with great passion comes a great responsibility to control your emotions and output.
Best Easter Egg: N/A
2:32am
9/10
Hold up. He goes dark again. He's somewhat teetering on that abandonment of better days. Is it possible to fall again into the pit of self-pity? Eric's words are clear but wordplay subtle - gently brushing listeners' ears with bars like ASMR. He meanders you through what feels like an episode of Stranger Things - trying to figure out where he's going, what's what, and where's the way out. The slow and lazy piano beat gives him room to squeeze in as much detail as he can in two extra-long verses. The beat doesn't get me excited but the depth and creativity are impossible to ignore.
Best Easter Egg: “Dude - it's just me, it’s just me.”
Happy, Pt. 4
11/10
He continues the Happy series with an ode that's a perfect continuation of the first 3 works. The Premise find was clutch. Because there quite possibly couldn't be a more perfect beat choice to match the song's theme and Eric's newfound positive punch lines. The song doesn't just stop the negativity that's been trying to poke through. It stomps it out. With almost a shout that's stated with sincerity: "I'm here to stay!" Eric keeps the content light - intentionally - while emphasizing that happiness is a choice that's up to you to find. The album concludes with its stand-out track.
Best Easter Egg: “Happy for the clothes that were oversized.”
--
What a wild ride.
One that I haven't been on before with Eric's music. It was far more uplifting than any musical journey ahead of it, and one that oozes honesty with inspiration.
In just 9 tracks, his artwork (and intent) comes to life through a combination of words and song - tied tightly together through poetic elements and throwbacks that connect his childhood to his current day.
It starts on a high note. Wavers at times. Struggles at times. But ends even higher than where it started. Perhaps a perfect metaphor for what we should strive for in life…
--
So, do you know what rhymes with orange?
Nothing - really - that fits perfectly.
But nothing out there's perfect.
You have to make it work.
And that's on you.
Can you do it?
