Sydmac Delivers His Long-Awaited Album, “The False Self and The Vase”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
Over the last few years, music has felt like it is in a weird place. I can’t put my finger on it, but I will say that a lot of artists and songs lack emotion. There is so much music coming out, but we seem to be exposed to the gimmicks and music that lacks substance. Although I love my party songs, I have been searching for artists that are making music from the heart. I want substance, concepts, and themes within the music I listen to. Each week, I shuffle through thousands of song and projects, but I always seem to find one diamond in the rough. This week I came across Sydmac.
Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Haiti-born musician, Sydmac, has taken the music industry by storm. Drawing influence from artists such as Jay-Z, Nas, and many others, Sydmac looks to put together the substance of the old school rap, with the flair of the new hip-hop. His style of hip-hop has an innovative twist that makes it more digestible than a lot of the music that is forced upon us. After listening to his songs “Upbringings” & “OUT THE HOOD”, I knew he had that “IT” factor. Now, he enters our pages with his conceptual album, “The False Self and The Vase”.
“The False Self and The Vase” is an introspective masterpiece that touches on love, heartbreak, loss, and socially conscious topics. When it comes to conceptual albums, I need artists to be able to express themselves while also having all the songs connect. Whether that is sonically or lyrically, each record should have its own identity while adding a piece to the overall puzzle which is the album. Sydmac successfully did that.
This album is about self-reflection and finding a way to move on and never going back to things that brought him and others pain. Although I enjoyed the progression and overall concept of the album, my favorite songs were “Surmise”, “Bread and Circuses”, & “The Meeting”. “Surmise” is a self-reflective song that deals with identity. As someone who just lost their girlfriend of 9 years to cancer, I find myself questioning my own identity. So much of my personality was intertwined with her. This song explores the theme of trying to understand our own selves and fighting to find our identity. This was the most impactful song for me because it is about finding life purpose. “Bread and Circuses” touches on modern events while also mirroring society back to itself. As an American, I personally attached to this record. Sydmac discusses how bad things are in America from social media to the parenting of this next generation. Sonically, I loved the solemn vocal sample, and the hook was otherworldly. We all need to realize that the powers above us are overlooking the injustices we see daily. “The Meeting” was another great record. The song is vibrant, and it is laced with ethereal textures and punchy percussive elements. This is a song about self-acceptance, and Sydmac uses it realize his past mistakes while trying to find himself.
Overall, this is one of the best albums I have listened to this year. Sydmac has made his mark, and I consider this to be his magnum opus. If you are looking for real music, make sure to stream this record.
