by Charles Davis
Here we are at a crossroads; our now is the past and our minds are the future. The burden and blessing of reflecting on said surroundings falls upon all generative souls, all heavenly conduits, as to define and realign our collectively shared existences - if basic needs are met, this is amongst the most important aspects of life as we know it. With respect to said mindset, Mach-Hommy's audial art exists as a bright, shining light of inspiration to all wonderers and wanderers of these ancient cosmos. A singularly distinct voice in a haze of modern madness.
Balens Cho, the most recently released EP (at the time of this written word), has its very own 900 million miles of personal space within the expansive Mach-Hommy catalog. Coming off a fantastic year, having recently put forth the highly acclaimed Pray For Haiti only a few months back, the artwork ceases to rest along this razor's edge. Self released, and maintaining an impressively unique aesthetic and equal extremum in quality, Balens Cho is fantastically introspective, hypnotically prognosticating, and approachably poignant. The cosmic knowledge, both celestial and humanistic, ennobles and edifies consciousnesses (where they remain open) amidst the dizzying modes of perception.
As with all Mach-Hommy's projects, Haiti sits as the mantlepiece upon the relative metaphysical fire. Kreyól wordage ornaments the tapestry, constructing a resplendent landscape; vast and expansive by means of cadence and intonation alone, though fundamentally exultant, celebratory, and ultimately paramount in design. These greater lessons contained within the broader sphere of storytelling are simultaneously relatably insightful and intensely personal. "You ever stop to thank your heart for beating?" Mach questions, while later declaring "Say it with me: 'I am infinite wealth.' - but it all starts out with loving yourself” via the album closer, “Self Luh".
Paired with the cinematic beatscapes of such genre defining producers as Nicholas Craven, Ras G, Fortes, Messiah Musik, and Conductor Williams, as well as interludes designed via Mach himself, the aesthesiodic spectrum achieved is majestic and omnipresent. Listeners find new nuances and gripping challenges upon each spin, giving a feel similar to that of a novel; one that gets better with further run-throughs. With only one guest appearance by an MC - that of Tha God Fahim; frequent Mach collaborator/one of the most supremely talented and hard working creators in hip-hop - this story ultimately exists true to Mach-Hommy himself, allowing an elemental detail that luminesces brighter and brighter the further it is unearthed.
Prodigious in design and sensational in practice, Mach-Hommy solidifies his magnificence with Balens Cho - not just simply within the hip-hop of the moment, but with respect to all recorded music. This is a reminder of why, despite the insanity of the world, each moment is a blessing.