The Cold War was a 45 year period of largely ideological tension between the nation formerly known as USSR and the Unites States. Coming right after World War II, this period of time was marked by each power’s mutual dislike for the other’s basic philosophies. Keeping that in mind, illect’s muzeONE releases an aptly titled album, Cold War, to challenge and inform.

1. First Blood feat. Average Joe: “Prepare for mic fights” is fitting description of what this project will be. A call to arms of sorts, this brief intro advises the listener where muzeONE stands in regards to his life’s philosophy. Average Joe is his usual skilled cutting self here.

2. Cold War: To say that muzeONE’s lyrical flow/ cadence is complex would be an understatement. Using the title track as a “first salvo” of sorts, muze goes back to his hip hop lineage and gives a timeline on his progression into a man of God whose music reflects the same. “Still a battle rapper” though, muze gives a glimpse of how he is still able to exist in that arena without putting his faith in Christ to the side.

3. Keep Listening feat. Young Joshua: back in the 80’s there was the Reagan Doctrine, here muzeONE and Young Joshua stick to the Gospel as the core strategy. If you’re used to songs that have empty calories, this will help you understand what a real meal sounds like. Wes Pendleton produced a musical piece of vintage that sets the table well for each multi- rhyme schemed emcee.

4. Lights On feat. KJ-52 & Wonder Brown: First note, this beat just feels like something KJ- 52 should be on, it has that kind of playful bounce to it. Although Tweezyman’s verse was just okay to me, the efforts of both muze and Wonder make this a good song.In a rap game darkened by the shadows of mediocrity and selfishness, these guys keep the light on.

5. Father Time: Using a bit of a storytelling, moment of pondering approach, muzeONE speaks on the speed at which time passes us by. There are not too many that can keep up with the pure barrage of cohesive lines that muze spits about taking proper advantage of the time that the Lord has allotted us. This is that song for those who take time for granted in any form.

6. Love: No matter how many times I hear the Common sample used for the hook here, it still enhances the song. Weaving from verse to verse seamlessly, muze waxes poetic about his wife, then daughter, and lastly the Lord. There already is an impressive range of subjects covered halfway in, the proverbial Soviet Union is crumbling with each songs passing.

7. Clones: Now this is an interesting switch in gears from one song to another. From a poetic expression of love to a straightforward show of tough love, muzeONE speaks on the illegal practice of “biting” from his vantage point. Though the song that deserved the most press comes farther down the playlist, this one was just what the blogs and message boards ordered- though it sparked some healthy discussion. I will say that the approach is interesting but the overall message is hard to argue.

8. Literary Lyricism: One word, impressive! There was more said here by muze than many artists say across their whole discography. The title itself says a lot about the song because muzeONE wants to bring proper literary respect back to lyricism. What’s wrong with proper pronunciation, punctuation, and expanded vocabulary? Nothing at all and muze controls all three quite adeptly on this hard- hitting track. Also of note, the list of emcees muzeONE mentioned gives us a pretty clear understanding as to why his style is as sharp and polished as it is.

9. Home Is... feat. Justme & Ruslan of TheBreax: In the midst of all the boom bap and samples, its easy to forget that muzeONE is from the West coast. That is quickly brought to perspective as muze flips the style of instrumentation on this nostalgic track. Along for the memory ride, Justme and Ruslan both offer up some sharp 16’s that also speak on maintaining a connection with the Most High. This is one of the standout songs that screams summer playlist hit and extra impressive considering muze composed the beat himself.

10. News feat. J.A.Z. & Sev Statik: The old school trumpets in the sample set a perfect backdrop for all three lyricists to do their trademarked best to warn any wayward listener. Chemistry- wise the styles of each emcee mesh well and the subject matter is covered well from each point of view. Simple and to the point musically, careful and calculated lyrically.

11. More 2 Say: If an argument about the lack of diverse subject matter from a Christian worldview comes up, I’m going to this track as one to prove that point invalid. The constant lyrical barrage, not reliant on gaudy punchlines, is a conscious rap lover’s dream. What made this song that much more enjoyable was the omitted hook. Considering the weight of the topics being discussed, there was no need to try and make anything less than the whole song memorable.

12. A Mother's Grief feat. J-Wisdom: Something poignant and emotional this way comes, the title and spoken word cannot do anything but make you think that. J-Wisdom’s voice is engaging and adds to the empathy of the urgency being described in her poem.

13. A Grief Observed: There’s not much I can write that will describe this track, period. The imagery is amazing as muzeONE all but invites us into his home and the hardest moments of his daughter’s struggles with her health. I am in awe of how muzeONE brought us into the depth of his doubt, which in turn leads us to his epiphany of understanding the Lord’s will. Hard to believe this song is barely over three and a half minutes long, it immerses you that much. If Grammy’s mattered, this would be one more than worthy of one for it’s piercing subject matter and presentation. Best song on the album, easy.

14. Understand: The album ends the way it began, with a full lyrical display over a properly picked track. I like that this instrumental had a closing credits feel to it. You can almost see the Berlin wall being knocked down as this song plays.

Categorical Ratings Breakdown:

Originality/ Creatitivity (4.5/5): How can an artist who calls people out for cloning not be original? Though muzeONE may remind some people of a combination of a handful of hip hop’s most respected lyricists, there’s no way to pinpoint and accuse him of duplication.

Lyrics (4.5/5): This album is full of lyrical gems, and that goes beyond punchlines that make people say “ohhh”. From the start of the project muzeONE makes intricate multi-syllabic rhyme patterns the order and meshes in a few straightforward ones for good measure. “Literary Lyricism” is probably the standout track from a lyrcial structure standpoint, but “A Grief Observed” meshes in amazing imagery.

Delivery (4.5/5): I like muzeONE’s delivery, I definitely believe what he spits. The confidence is there, the command is there, and the breath control is there. He is the “attack mode” emcee that does not take a verse off for the sake of swagging through it. To top it off, his emotional vulnerability was palpable on “A Grief Observed” and the full range of emotions makes this project more enjoyable.

Beat Selection (4/5): Rappers who also make their own music are more common than some of us realize. That said, there are not too many artists who are able to skillfully create music that complements their style and flow well. That doesn’t apply here as muze does a more than admirable job on the handful of tracks he made. He also called on Medi-CAL, Wes P, Wit, DJ Official, Theory Hazit and Othello for musical contributions, they all delivered. Some may say that a few tracks are a bit slow and hard to really connect with, but in the midst of the album’s flow, they aren’t too bad.

Concept/ Arrangement (4/5): The concept of this project was very interesting as muzeONE did seem to wage “psychological” warfare on anyone in opposition to the lifestyle/ thought process he employs. The only time I felt he may have veered into a different direction than the theme seemed to be taking was on “A Mother’s Grief” and “A Grief Observed”, but can you really complain about those tracks? The song order was cool as well, and the number of features was somewhere in the correct range without going overboard.

Overall, this album impressed me a lot from concept to content and commentary. Using the Cold War to express the ideals of righteousness/ right- living overtaking those of counterproductive posturing (without blunt force) worked well throughout the playlist. I definitely hear a lof of growth in muzeONE as an artist from his Redeemed Thought days. I would even venture to say that this project is one  for those sleep that need a reason to check out the illect, Humblebeast, Syntax, etc. section of Kingdom music. The Cold War may be over but this project will loom long after its release date.