Bossasaurus Rek

Bossasaurus, "The Wait is Over"

Bossasaurus keeps it movin’ and flips a classic sound to pop your lock to (that’s an innocent phrase, for those Ebonics-challenged among us). The standout joint on homeboys’ demo is "The Wait is Over."

On this song, they introduce new melodies or sounds every few bars that revolve around a loop which grounds the theme of the song. And over the course of this five minute song, they switch it up entirely three times, but keep it all within the family – still promoting the theme, but dipping into valleys and soaring into triumph, like the ups and downs of an epic story. They even drop the percussion at certain points and allow other instruments to carry the rhythm, or toss out the rhythm altogether for a hard piano solo interlude.

It’s great when you’re listening to a song, and after a kind of rolling, staggered progression, you realize that none of what it began with remains and the song is wholly different. Unfortunately, the shifts within "The Wait" can be abrupt since they’ll drop the main sample loop and shift the rhythm simultaneously. In fact, those primary sample loops drag out a bit too long.

With "The Wait" – and most of their sound so far – they have a tendency to rely on rather generic instrumentation. They’ll rock some guitars or pianos or plain vanilla drums and keyboards rather than seek out less thoroughly explored instruments and sounds. Guitars and such are great because they have such a broad range of notes, and you can bring your melody wherever you’d like to take it. But Boss relies on them predominately, and often uses them for a short loop that will play for a couple minutes.

Although I take issue with the selection for drums, they’re well versed in how to use them. This results in a complex composition that avoids the tiring repetition of some programmed or simpler percussion choices.

"Moonlit Trees" – another choice cut – breaks their J5-like, happy-go-lucky hip hop feel, and flips it on the moody tip. Although less intricate than "The Wait", its atmosphere and mood are undeniably powerful. It’s like walking through a winter forest in dense fog or lounging in a smoke filled room lit with deep red light.

Boss’s demo cover reminds me of a pillowcase I had when I was like six. Sorta like those hoodies some people still rock.

Overall? Big up! Can’t wait for more.