L.A. rapper Versis debuted with iLLCANDESCENT, an excellent album that showed a maturity and confidence far beyond his young age. He skillfully rhymed over airy atmospheric boom-bap production that had tasteful jazzy samples. Five years later, he returned with the brief and effective twenty minutes of Copæsthetic.
Even though five years had passed, Versis had not lost a step lyrically. Production-wise, Copæsthetic is also impressive. Versis' beat choice dives even further into the more laid-back moments of iLLCANDESCENT. Unlike that record, much of Copæsthetic has a noir-like atmosphere. It's a great, hazy accompaniment for a rainy day. The style has more focus on atmospherics, with Versis' voice being marginally less clear in the mix with added echo. These effects work perfectly with the spacey drums and jazzy samples throughout the album.
Lyrically, Copæsthetic has Versis being a bit more introspective. The album is a look into his mind. The intro, "annotation", immediately lets the listener know what kind of album they have just put on:
"you realize when you come in to see a musician...musicians never talk to you, you know...I decided I'd just talk to you, you know. I just wanna tell you...some of the music is - is really not geared for your bumping enjoyment...it's geared for you to think...so for those of you who don't think too much...I'm just telling you 'bout that shit before we drop it on you"
Versis ponders life and is deep in his thoughts throughout "Complacent cl." and "Rain on a Sunday". "Rain on a Sunday" doesn't even have a full stanza of verses, but the way the singing meshes with the vocal samples makes it a standout moment. "Calidelphia" is another short but sweet introspective track that has Versis reflecting on his life. This is followed by two impressive tracks, "Wayside" and "Love Is". The former has very well used horn samples and the latter features an extremely catchy flow from Versis and a gorgeous piano sample.
"Love Is" documents Versis' failure to acquire love, and the last three tracks of Copæsthetic focus on how one feels at the end of a relationship that they did not want to end. He can't escape thoughts of his past love in the submerged environment of "Riptide" ("I try to tread like that/but the riptide of my mind got me drifting back") and the final track, "What's the Use of Being Here If You Ain't Here Right Nao?" is an addictive psychedelic lament. With Versis and guest rapper Zeroh's impressive, seemingly stream-of-conscious-style verses, "What's the Use of Being Here If You Ain't Here Right Nao?" is a fantastic album closer. Although Copæsthetic could be longer, it's still another extremely strong entry in Versis' young discography.
Lyrically, Copæsthetic has Versis being a bit more introspective. The album is a look into his mind. The intro, "annotation", immediately lets the listener know what kind of album they have just put on:
"you realize when you come in to see a musician...musicians never talk to you, you know...I decided I'd just talk to you, you know. I just wanna tell you...some of the music is - is really not geared for your bumping enjoyment...it's geared for you to think...so for those of you who don't think too much...I'm just telling you 'bout that shit before we drop it on you"
Versis ponders life and is deep in his thoughts throughout "Complacent cl." and "Rain on a Sunday". "Rain on a Sunday" doesn't even have a full stanza of verses, but the way the singing meshes with the vocal samples makes it a standout moment. "Calidelphia" is another short but sweet introspective track that has Versis reflecting on his life. This is followed by two impressive tracks, "Wayside" and "Love Is". The former has very well used horn samples and the latter features an extremely catchy flow from Versis and a gorgeous piano sample.
"Love Is" documents Versis' failure to acquire love, and the last three tracks of Copæsthetic focus on how one feels at the end of a relationship that they did not want to end. He can't escape thoughts of his past love in the submerged environment of "Riptide" ("I try to tread like that/but the riptide of my mind got me drifting back") and the final track, "What's the Use of Being Here If You Ain't Here Right Nao?" is an addictive psychedelic lament. With Versis and guest rapper Zeroh's impressive, seemingly stream-of-conscious-style verses, "What's the Use of Being Here If You Ain't Here Right Nao?" is a fantastic album closer. Although Copæsthetic could be longer, it's still another extremely strong entry in Versis' young discography.
