Sometimes all it takes is just that one project for an artist to soar and I feel that up-and-coming artist and rapper D. Lew the Don has just released that with his newest album “It Was Good To See You” that is his debut project and one that introduces him to an eager fanbase—one that comes with an insatiable craving for the intricate, inimitable and still accessible music. Luckily for them, D. Lew has done his research and backs it up with the incredible talents that see him balance the nostalgia of New Jack Swing with his own innovative flair and lyrical freedom, creating something as personal as it is universal. If you are a sucker for that kind of high-energy, high-drama hip-hop and R&B, epic trap and dancehall, driving pop, atmospheric, ethereal, and soulful music, thank the heavens because you are about to meet an all-in-one artist by the name D. Lew the Don. Enjoy him while you still can.
Back to his project “It Was Good To See You” which perfectly encapsulates his personal life and experiences as much as his musical influences ranging from Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson to The Weeknd, this 8-track collection captures D. Lew’s artistic soul and psyche as he takes a listener on a memorable journey that is just as unconventional and unorthodox as it is captivating and universally relatable.
“Degree” is a high-vital masterpiece with a heavy resonance both in lyrical essence and cinematic melody that make it. There is something about this production that screams underground, but with an unmissable amount of modern flair to seamlessly entwine the two rap worlds. For me, this tune has a thrilling drama demeanor and D. Lew excels with his powerful punchlines as he provokes the listener’s thoughts with his personal-fueled escapades.
“Summer Fever” encapsulates the hangover of that season of reckless joy with bold and unfiltered dancehall and electro-pop beats. The beats hit with unbridled energy, signifying a season where rules bend and inhibitions dissolve. The vibrant chaos of these pulsating beats reflects the much-welcome disarray of pool parties and backyard barbecues where the aroma of D. Lew’s sizzling vocals mingles with the clinking euphoria of the track’s pulsating rhythms, creating an irresistibly infectious cadence that is as bold, beautiful, and bright as that girl you met in summer and you can’t keep her off your mind.
“Sleepeyes” is another danceable tune with pop-hip-hop charm and R&B sensibilities, contributing to its extensive appeal. D. Lew exposes his charming vocals as he ebbs and flows in perfect sync with the beats, wrapping around a listener like a warm embrace with his memorable verses and catchy hooks that express his heart’s desire to bag a lady he’s been checking out for a while.
“Main” is a personal favorite thanks to that bright, lush, and still classic Trap-soul vibe it exudes. This track gives me the vibe off the bat and the way D. Lew further elevates its appeal with his distinct vocals makes it a playlist mainstay that you can never get enough of.
D. Lew then does something intriguing with the jam “Put It Down,” building on it and coming through with two other captivating versions that I really enjoyed. The original has an inescapable R&B hip-hop foundation with a hauntingly beautiful and cohesive beat that is well-manicured, providing a decent landing for his vocal and lyrical prowess.
The other version, “Put It Down (Afternoon Mix)” is an exhilarating version that is full of life, its dynamic thrill underscored by the plethora of catchy and infectious hooks that contribute to its anthemic appeal.
“Put It Down (Evening Mix)” is a bit slowed down with reverb effects, akin to the setting of the evening sun, the horizon glows and gentle blaze signifying a fleeting embrace of day and night. This shadowy production stretches long and languid, the melodies growing softer, casting the song in a warm, dreamlike haze. It is just so ethereal.
With “Capstone – Outro” D. Lew takes no prisoners as he unleashes a heavy-hitting lyrical masterstroke that affirms the intuitiveness, spontaneity, expressiveness, and hard-heartedness that the game often demands.
“It Was Good To See You” is a 10/10 project and nobody can convince me otherwise!
| INSTAGRAM |