Review: Malibu Ken- Self-Titled

The collaborative project from MC Aesop Rock and producer Tobacco offers a compelling array of inventive and oddball tracks.

The reality of having these two incredibly innovative underground acts come together is exciting. There is little debate to be had that Aesop Rock is one of the most original and creative rappers of all time. The same high quality and clever wordplay we have come to expect from the rapper is evident across the entirety of Malibu Ken. The lyrics are dense, witty, and many lines are crammed with multiple meanings and interpretations. On top of that, the production is frivolous and does a great job of matching the quirkiness of Aesop’s wordplay.

The first track “Corn Maze” is an in-depth look at the private nature of Aesop and the “walls” he puts up in order to maintain what I believe is his sense of individuality. The next track “Tuesday” continues these themes of isolation and self-reflection through cartoonish and degrading lines. Aesop describes himself as having, “ bunions and contusions, bumps, lumps and bruises/ Discoloring, and other things I can't reach with a loofah.” All of these grotesque descriptions about Aes and his life he dusts off as simply “just another Tuesday.” Aesop Rock and Tobacco are firing on all cylinders with these first two tracks.

Aesop Rock continues his career of rapping about the most bizarre and outlandish topics as seen on the track “Acid King.” Here he discusses the 1984 Ricky Kasso murder case. He delves into detail about the teen’s life and the public perception regarding the relationship between the murder and Kasso listening to heavy metal music. His focus is primarily on many of the unknowns surrounding the case. He leaves the listener in thought after ending his last verse with, “Some say Kasso was part of a cult/But I'm sure there was more than we're told/More than adults or authority could rightly decode/Or maybe I'm wrong and he's finally home,” alluding here to the possibility that the system was looking for a scapegoat in the form of Satan rather than delving deeper into the psyche of Kasso and figuring out what made him flip. Or Aesop is wrong and Kasso is finally home in hell among his fellow Satanists. Either way, the song works in a beautifully strange way and is one of the more intriguing tracks on this project.

Contradicting the tone of "Acid King" is "Suicide Big Gulp" which is the closest to a banger this album has to offer. It contains this bass-heavy beat and Aes is dropping some badass lines about himself and Tobacco. He describes Tobacco as, “a face in the fire on the fucking mountain/The bass is like a struggle of defiance.” It is a rare showboat moment on the project and is hugely fun as well.

Despite Aesop's well-known affection for felines, (as seen on the track “Kirby” from his last release The Impossible Kid), he does not hold back about the gruesome description of two vultures dismantling a cat on the song “Churros.” I feel Aesop is referring to himself on the last few lines of this track where he states, “I wonder if some dude was sad because his cat had run away/ And thought, "Maybe I'll load these eagles up to feel connected"/ Then got to watch his little Fluffy torn to pieces by the very nature/ He had sought to ease him through his deep depression.” It is a nihilistic viewpoint as even the aspects of life that bring you happiness are still susceptible to the insufferable terrors of nature and reality.

My issue with this album deals primarily with the production as I felt Tobacco was the weaker link in this collaborative effort. Tracks such as "Save Our Ship" and "Dog Years" are noticeably less inventive and feel underwhelming compared to more of the standout tracks I previously discussed.

Fortunately, this is not enough to deter from the holistic quality of Malibu Ken. Aesop Rock’s ability to manipulate language to illustrate elaborate stories and strange concepts is what makes the rapper relevant release after release. This is a smart and crafty hip hop album and I see it being in my frequently played throughout the greater part of 2019.

Rating: 8.5/10

Essential Tracks: Corn Maze, Tuesday, Acid King, Suicide Big Gulp, Churro