The album opens with the laid-back ‘Super Smooth,’ that takes shots at the music industry before ‘Fashion’ brings acoustic guitar and a rolling trap beat as Pro Focus’ quick-fire patter adds a new dimension to the track that complements Conscious Route’s gritty lyrical style.  Things change pace again with the claustrophobic opening of ‘Plastic Bag,’ yet, as is the case across the whole album, the production shifts throughout the track adding interest to the beats and providing different tones and feels for Conscious Route to explore with his flow. Lyrically, the Shadows album traverses a range of topics from the state of the music industry to relationships, mental health and cultural issues including artists who aren’t authentic in the scene. ‘Dubplate’ opens with a cinematic feel as a piano and break lets Conscious Route flex different flows and styles before the title track, ‘Shadows’ brings a strong boom-bap feel as Jabbathakut brings some turntable touches to the tune as Conscious Route delves into a personal rhyme as he calls out the “(shadows) in my life, do my best to stay blessed, things from my past make troubles manifest.”

Moving past the halfway mark in the album, ‘Purge’ brings some classic 90s-type hip-hop as Johnny Cypher opens the track before trading bars with Conscious Route. Showing their versatility, the duo take another turn with the minor-key, jazz feels of ‘Jazz Unsung,’ which sees a stand-out blues-laden vocal from Bridget Quinn tie the track together as P Caso and Conscious Route take turns on the mic. ‘Safety’ brings some superb live instrumentation to boost Supermann on da beat’s beats as they switch between skittering shuffles and a half-time sway. This track sees Conscious Route choose to take a back seat to Milla who steps up to carry the track with a soulful vocal that deals with relationships, heartbreak, trust, betrayal and love as Conscious Route delivers a quick-fire rhyme in the middle as a bridge between Milla’s emotive singing. The short and sharp ‘Overstood,’ sees Conscious Route take aim at fake MCs and “Eminem sound-alikes” while declaring, “it ain’t rapping ‘cause you’re shouting sh*t.” The final track, ‘Squashed,’ sees Conscious Route and Supermann on da beat close out the album as a duo with yet another change of style with a schizophrenic beat and dense lyricism.

Several of the tracks from the album have already been getting praise, such as ‘Jazz Unsung,’ which has been played on BBC Introducing Scotland and selected by taste-maker and DJ Tina Edwards for British Airways’ Next Big Thing in 2024, meaning the song was placed on rotation on all Scotland flights through to 2025. Other tracks from the album have received support from stations like London’s Itch FM, Kane FM and Rinse FM. The Smooth Selection Instagram platform gave “Shadows” Album a 4 star review calling it “An Impressive range of tracks with diverse, interesting styles filled with passion!” 

The latest review from the Scotsman saw “Shadows” receive a second 4 star review.

“ Conscious Route joins forces with self – taught producer Sanjeev Mann, aka Supermann on da beat, for his latest album of thoughtful hip –hop, taking aim at shouty rappers on the flinty querulous Overstood and deploring industry values on Super Smooth.”  Reviewed by Fiona Shepherd

 ‘Shadows’ brings moments of deep introspective reflection offset by moments of b-boy bravado as Conscious Route and Supermann on da beat use an interesting and changing, yet cohesively hip-hop, soundscape to take aim at wannabes, fake MCs, and the music industry itself.

Credits

Tracks Produced by Supermann on da beat

Lyrics by Conscious Route

Guest Lyrics by Pro Focus (Fashion), Bridget Quinn & P Caso (Jazz Unsung),

Johnny Cypher (Purge), Milla & Geoffrey Williams (Safety)

Cuts by Jabbathakut (Shadows)

Guest Musicians Chris Greive composed Trombone, Geoffrey Williams composed Guitar (Safety)

Mixed by Mackenzie

Mastered by Forest DLG @ KMJ45 Studio

Artwork by John Dyer @ Digital Dyer

Editorial Tom Clover

Pictures by Mikey aka @mwcamera­_