The Wake

Rhymesayers Entertainment begins the year with a burst of much needed energy for the Minneapolis hip-hop scene. Audition proves that P.O.S. isn’t just another rapper destined for mediocrity. Starting strong with the bouncy “Half Cooked Concepts,” P.O.S. immediately succeeds in establishing his persona as he rhymes, “P.O., you know the dirty one disturbing all the categories / the matador in black, killing bullshit allegories.” Similar energy is found on “Stand Up (Let’s Get Murdered)” (produced by Lazerbeak) and tracks like “A Teddy Bear and a Tazer” and “Living Slightly Larger.”

Guests appear in tasteful doses, and usually working to the album’s advantage. Slug and P.O.S. trade rhymes over two of the album’s most accessible cuts, “Bush League Psych-Out Stuff” and “Bleeding Hearts Club (MPLS Chapter).” “Safety in Speed (Heavy Metal)” features a lingering Craig Finn monologue and some of P.O.S.’s best material: “Welcome to Hollywood DC / where Reagan youth grew up cowboys off Ronnie’s Westerns.” This isn’t to say the album is flawless; Audition contains many moments overshadowed by the stark vocal similarities to Eminem.

Fusing punk, metal, and hip-hop hasn’t always yielded positive results, but it is obvious P.O.S. isn’t worried about labels. Instead, he seems to be kicking down any barriers in his path in order to genuinely express himself. Once again, Minneapolis offers an impressive hip-hop release that will undoubtedly retain its buzz for much of the year.