Milo - Things That Happen at Day/Night

Milo - Things that Happen at Day/Night (2013)
Conscious Rap / Experimental Hip Hop / Spoken Word

This double-EP has been my rap AOTY so far. People who know more of the sub-genre have told me Milo's brand of "conscious rap" isn't the typical message-y criticism of mainstream rap as others are, allegedly. Either way, Milo's style is distinctly stream-of-consciousness and often integrates spoken-word/poetry, which he has perfected in this album (featuring original production by Analog(ue) Tape Dispenser, whereas his earlier albums were mixtapes including Shlohmo and Gold Panda). Combine it with his internet-childhood and starry-eyed philosophy major persona, the whole package makes for a refreshing, personal voice to the rap.

Duality is a major theme in this work. Some tracks have two parts a la Shabazz Palaces - Black Up. In style, the two EPs are produced by different people and convey opposing tones and atmospheres. The Day EP is brighter, hopeful, and upbeat while Night is atmospheric, aloof, and somber. In content, the Day's lyrics are full of hopes and nostalgia and even the pessimistic repetition in "folk-metaphysics" is positive in its sense of determination. Night's lyrics are more abstract and illogical, full of philosophical skepticism and self-pessimism. Personally, I enjoy listening to the Night half more, the production just seems to respond with Milo's rapping much better, especially in "a lazy coon's ober dictum" and "post hoc ergo propter hoc (for Schopenhaeur)." But, that doesn't mean much when listening to both EP's adds far more to the experience.

Listen Here/Reviews/Interviews:
http://hellfyreclub.bandcamp.com/album/things-that-happen-at-night
http://miloraps.bandcamp.com/
Milo - Things That Happen At Day / Things That Happen At Night EP REVIEW
Interview w/ Milo