EP Review: Dominic Lord – Fashion Show

To some, the very notion of an innovative an interesting Hip Hop album being released anytime soon is a forgotten notion. Fortunately for any fans of the genre that want to listen to something more insightful than the ramblings of a particular artist’s bank balance or his sexual prowess, Harlem-based Grime artist Dominic Lord has arrived just in time.

Coming as part of a fresh new batch of talent flowing through the genre, Lord’s Fashion Show EP is a genuinely interesting and innovative Hip Hop record.

Fresh off the heels of his well-received ‘Old English’ preview, he is joined at the producer’s desk for his latest offering with an array of talent, which includes esteemed beat-makers such as Chad Hugo of the Neptunes (this can only be a good thing), Rico Beats and Kanye West associate Hudson Mohawke. And to be fair, this can be felt in Lord’s brand of electronic-enthused Hip Hop.

From the quite frankly creepy opening title track, which lends its name to the EP, it strikes as quite a riveting listen, but you are left somewhere between like and dislike when it kicks off.

A more Poppy route is taken on the next track ‘Wrong For Right’, which makes up for some pretty questionable lyrics with a hooky rhythm and backbeat, reminiscent of more mainstream Hip Hop.

By the time we reach tracks five and six, it is abundantly clear that Lord has found his flow. Both the Mohawke-produced ‘Pierce’ and following tracks ‘Mozart’, ‘Go’ are proof that Lord has honed his sound down to a fine art.

Both tunes have a refreshingly melodic backline (combined with pretty piano/keyboard riff in the former), allowing Lord to do his lyrical ‘thing’ to great success over the top.

But it is the ‘Pierce’ remix, featuring Pusha T and Grimes, which closes the record that really showcases Lord’s intriguing new sound. An even more upbeat and melodic affair than its original, based on this track alone it is fair to say that Dominic Lord is moving up in the Hip Hop world.

Lord clearly has work to do if he is to be accepted in to the company of some of his esteemed industry colleagues, but there is something in this EP that makes us think he will get there sooner rather than later.

Check it out for yourselves!

By Dan Colombini

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