New album from Larando Suave

Hailing from Dallas in Texas, Larando Suave is an artist and producer who’s recently stepped into the alternative hip hop space. Filtering retro influences through a modern sonic lens, he blends sharp wordplay, tongue-in-cheek humour and impactful production to craft music that’s as unique as it is engaging.

Taking cues from 90s underground rap while exploring a cutting edge hip hop sound, Larando Suave’s work is both a nod to tradition and a bold step forward. Making his official entrance in October last year, he introduced his sound to the world with agriculture, a 16-track debut full-length record.

Now he’s back with the follow up, bringing us his latest release with his brand new sophomore album titled The Foundation. While his first outing established his artistic identity, The Foundation builds upon it, serving up an alternative hip hop experience that pays tribute to the gritty, underground rap that inspired him while embracing a modern, innovative edge.

The twelve-track release also sees Larando Suave linking up with several other artists who bring their own sonic flair to the LP. Kicked off with “Flower Buddha,” the album opens with the soft pulse of synth tones and dancing instrumental flutters as Larando’s smooth vocals enter above the downtempo shuffle of drums. With a laid back delivery, he crafts a mellow hip hop jam that gently builds with rustling percussion and overlapping layers of vocals, resulting in a superb outing that’s original and engaging in equal measure.

“Foundation” follows with bubbling instrumental tones wrapped in a hazy sonic atmosphere, slipping into a hypnotic groove capped by Larando’s trademark vocal flow. Crafting a spacey sound that’s at once mesmeric and dreamy, it’s a stellar alternative hip hop outing that showcases the artist’s creative flair and production talent.

Linking up with AKTHESAVIOR on “Lost in NYC,” the pair serve up an epic collaboration that sees their unique styles collide in a gritty, beat-driven soundscape. Led by Larando’s slick vocals and cut with AKTHESAVIOR’s impactful voice, the pounding beat and warbling synth arrangement combines to forge a gripping sound that builds to a heavily processed conclusion.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “Bump This in the Whip” featuring MattyjTX, a melodic hip hop track brimming with intricate instrumentation and compelling vocal performance. Full of twists and turns and a continually developing arrangement peppered with guitar and brass tones, it puts Larando Suave’s fiercely original sound on full display.

“Lil Whoop” offers another collaboration, this time with J-KA$H on a powerful track driven by rattling beats and engrossing synths to create an intense sound throughout. Closing the album with a remix of “Gems on Me,” New York-based artist Shirt joins Larando to lay down razor-sharp rapped delivery on an alternate version of the track, presenting a memorable and emphatic finale to Larando Suave’s incredible new record.

Listen to The Foundation below