Tommy Kruise
Memphis Confidential Vol. 2 (self-released)
The merry Montreal producer’s successor to 2012’s Memphis Confidential is a delicious, Third coast beat tape inspired by the city’s legendary rap scene. Kruise nails the spirit of the Memphis sound — one where beauty and darkness live together in harmony.
For example, “HEAD SPIN” is built around a synth line that is both foreboding and enticing, and “BIG 9” opens with soft, atmospheric synths before graduating into a pounding slab of midwestern house. Interestingly, its two interludes — “MY GROOVE” and “SQUEAKY TEXAS CALLS” — are real highlights, and the former features two very different vocal samples, knitted together to create some real magic. At just six tracks, MC2 is easy to sink your teeth into and bursting with flavor.
