Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Keyes.

Keyes.
Animal. House.

Street Date: December 12, 2017
Style: Hip Hop
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3
Buy It: FREEDAPS.com


A little over a year ago, Floridian hip hop duo FREE DAPS released a solid EP that showcased a determination to be great at their craft. Since then, Isaac Knox and Heir Jordan both got married, bought houses, survived a hurricane, and maintained a steady flow of hip hop improv performances at Disney Springs. With the drive at an all-time high, Jordan - now known as Keyes. - began work on a second solo EP called Animal. House..

Friendly Fire (his first solo EP under his former moniker) mixed elements of the concept album and the mixtape, using music from the album Treats by Sleigh Bells. Animal. House. takes a different route, with original music from producers Soy is REAL, Mantra (who produced "Selfish" by Future and Rihanna), and Wonderlust (who has worked with artists like Jaden Smith). The beats are eclectic, ranging from trap to club rap to party rap, and it all sounds crisp and cohesive. Wonderlust is responsible for most of the production here, doing four of the seven tracks, yet he might also be the most responsible for the diversity in sound; I wouldn't expect beats like "Fake Gold Chain," "Meadowlark Lemon," and "Fade Away" to all be part of the same project.

Keyes. has always been rather stylistically unique. Though a lot of the music he raps over is very commonplace in modern rap and hip hop, it's not without his signature charm, mixing clever wordplay, singing, hilarious A+ references and puns, and humility, much in the same vein as artists like Heath McNease and Krum. The first single, "Fake Gold Chain," shows the rapper fake-flossing, "feeling cocky as a rooster farm" while he's "rocking to this Death Cab For Cutie song" and "eating Little Caesar's pizza while I'm trying to cross the rubicon." I particularly enjoy the fun track "Nothing Going On," which is a song about spending the day with his wife doing absolutely nothing. Keyes. finds himself working a lot, so taking a day off to relax is important. It's also pretty great that his wife, Heather (aka Hthr) provides some vocals in the hook. I also appreciate that, in addition to the fun and silly tracks, Keyes. takes a moment to talk about his faith. "Hoodie" uses his favorite hoodie as an analogy for his Christianity, talking about how he received it at a young age and what it's meant for him. He also acknowledges that a lot of people have a similar hoodie, but some use it for terrible reasons, while Keyes. is willing to share his with someone in need of it. It's the slowest track on the album, but it's one of my favorites.

The music coming from the FREE DAPS camp has been infrequent, but each release just keeps getting better. There were definitely a couple of occasions where I listened to Animal. House. on repeat a few times. The diversity in sound and style keeps it interesting, and the witty (and sometimes reverent) lyrics get stuck in your head for days. Animal. House. may not appeal to fans of mainstream rap, but those who find their fill in the underground scene will find a lot to like here.

- Review date: 2/3/18, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 7 tracks: 26 minutes, 12 seconds
. Street Date: December 12, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: AmazonMP3
. Buy It: FREEDAPS.com

  1. Front Door (6:30)
  2. Nothing Going On (feat. Hthr) (2:38)
  3. Fake Gold Chain (3:44)
  4. Hurricane Party (3:47)
  5. Meadowlark Lemon (feat. Isaac Knox) (2:38)
  6. Hoodie (2:58)
  7. Fade Away (feat. Evan Taylor Jones) (3:57)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images