Jay Kill and the Hustle Standard read my “favorites” list and put out this tight little 6 track work. Ok, Ok, this is very obviously not my usual coverage here on the Red Line, but if it involves Jake Hill then I am game. Rap?

Jake Hill is a goddamn badass. Charley Hustle gent is a goddamn badass. The first track (I Like These Odds) is angry…ok, not angry, but full of energy and fervor. This is the kind of music you do things to. Work out, run really fast, drive fast, punch things. It’s currently before 8 AM and listening to this I am full of life and nodding my head like a bobble head doll. I, my friends, am energized and this sets the pace for the duration of the 6 songs. There is a humor and self awareness is awesome throughout the verses. Clever, witty, and intelligent is not something we acquaint with this style of music in this day and age, but this nails all of that. ‘Smoking Gun’ has some incredible one liners throughout it.

I believe regret is the ghost that haunts Failure is the angel that guides you home

 If you just listen to the songs you will see that it’s not “just rap music”, there is a poetry to the words…but it’s still fun. There’s no popping bottles or bitches and hoes, it’s words with a purpose and that is something I respect.

I won’t be a target, if you want a war than start it

I’m a smoking gun, I’m a smoking gun

Musically, hell, I can’t really speak to it. I am not sure what the process is with going into making beats or layering things in that fashion. I am probably the least qualified person to make that judgment call. I can say that the 6 songs are all different and have their own flavor from a sonic standpoint. I know that the music makes me a move both physically and emotionally. There are different parts and a flow to the tracks that works very well, it’s an up and down, a roller coast ride and you are just along for the ride listening. The pairing of Jake and Charley also works extremely well in their vocal tonality and passion. So, in conclusion, if you want something that is going to pick you up and get you moving, dancing, shaking, and grooving this is your new favorite go to on the old iPod. I guess all the people I see on the train on the way to work got advance copies of “Becoming Animal”, because nothing else could make people quake like that. The dynamic between Jake and Charley Hustle is excellent. There is true artistry in taking a folk songwriter and pairing him with someone with a rap influence. This is a true success in melding together genres and people. My mind has just been blown. Get it: http://www.thehustlestandard.com/becoming-animal-listen