Cassette Review // Fortunato x The Dirty Sample "The Coalition" (Hand'Solo Records)

 

https://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-coalition

"The Coalition" begins with an intro that talks about what is about to happen through various voices, various audio clips.  I particularly enjoy that they found one that simply says: "These two are gonna get what they deserve".   Big, ringing beats make an overall presentation which, musically, just feels glorious.  There is something triumphant within this sound, like giving a victory speech, even though most of the time these songs are about what is yet to be done and it doesn't live as much in the past.

With lines such as "I did it with no doubt like Stefani" this cassette also references Ricky Bobby, to drop some of those maybe lesser known points.  I'm never sure entirely what everyone else picks up on or misses, but sometimes even I might miss some of them.   There is also just this energy within the lyrics, which comes out in lines such as: "They wanna lock doors so I'm breaking in" .

Musically this does sound a bit like clipping. though by the end I also hear Dr Dre.  I enjoy that "The Game" becomes more complex with some distorted like sounds.  But the beats are there and it feels more like a war cry, but for a peaceful war, than anything else.  There are lines in the chorus that state "There's no division / Sticking to our vision / Delivering strength and wisdom" and the music just seems to really reflect that, like they're coming for you but not with a gun but rather with a book.

"The 1's" feels a bit chill while "Will to Survive" has these ghostly moans behind it, singing which can stay on for later tracks as well.   While this is overall intense it also has a positive message, so to convey that through these lyrics which come out in the chorus and feel more like a mantra than anything else (think: "I Can" by Nas) it just gets stuck inside your head but will also hopefully help you to grow as a better person.  And to really sink that in, there are remixes on the B-side which can change the sound but not your mind.