Quarantine Preme Album Review
This 2020 Spotify offering from Dela Preme begins with a syrupy boom bap beat and Preme’s sharp vocals cutting in a staggered yet precise flow that gives a perfect look into who Dela Preme is as a person. The intro, “Test Kit Interlude”, ends with Preme trailing off beat as a quarantine warning is sounded. This was one of my favorite parts of the song. The transition was so natural and startling that it really pulled me into the skit. I’ve always been fan of story telling in hip hop music so this was right up my alley.
The Lesson shifts gears, straight into an up tempo banger. This beat compliments Dela Prime’s voice and serves to showcase his multifaceted range of flows and tones. The verses crescendo as Preme chops with increasing intensity, while the hook slides back in seamlessly, carrying the energy of the verses with a raspy hypnotic cadence. The next track “Sailor Jerry’s” kicks off with Dela Prime’s signature “Skrrrt” and a menacing 808 pattern. This minimalistic banger serves as a perfect backdrop for Prime’s catchy, ad lib heavy flow. At only 1:53, this song demands an instant repeat. Clean mixing and mastering really brings the gritty drums and rapid fire vocals together in a unique gumbo that is undeniably Dela Prime’s pocket.
“Never Switch” is an ironic title for track 4, as we see Preme switch his entire presentation up to bring a melodic, radio ready banger. This one could have easily featured The Weeknd. The record escalates verse by verse, finding Preme increasing the bravado along with the complication of his rhyme patterns. Halfway into this record I realized that I was already 4 tracks in and every single song so far had been completely different in subject matter and sound. I was completely open to whatever was the follow. Next, Preme laces his chucks up and stomps all over the jiggy Bay Area head rocker “Chrysanthemum”. Dela effortlessly juggles swagger and with semi-automatic lyricism, without sacrificing his signature Glendale bop. With a run time of 2:17, I had to run this one back again.
The EP climaxes with “Potty Mouth”. Dela Preme chops all over a thick, aggressive drum pattern coupled with a persistent flute loop. This combination keeps your head nodding right back into the Test Kit intro. Overall I give the project a 9/10. I was hoping to hear more skits to help tell the story that hooked me in the Test Kit Interlude. It’s hard not to listen to this entire project twice. There’s a little of everything here, all seasoned with Dela Preme’s one of a kind vocals. If you’re already a fan of Preme, this is a great show of growth from the charismatic performer. If you’re new to his music, this is a perfect introduction to the many shades and tones this artist can work in.
By Griffith Jones
Listen to “Quarantine Preme” by Dela Preme on Spotify:
