Philadelphia rapper lojii released his latest LP lo&behold a year and three months ago and I've been listening to it on and off since. The album was created in part during a series of therapeutic studio sessions where he shaped beats into smooth, spheres of sound. Delicately, rhythmically turning over lyrics and vibes likes stones in his mind or a pair of iron balls in his palm, all while contemplating the loss of his friends, Nipsey Hussle and producer Ras G. Both of whom influenced his sound. The former of whom you can hear illuminating the source of his strengths and triumphs on the opening track "patience." I probably wouldn't have covered this one if it weren't for the fact that it's as relevant today as it was fifteen months ago. But truth be told, it hits differently at this moment. lo&behold is an album about recovering from loss and learning to live, trust, and persevere despite the forces arrayed against you, in a world where justice is elusive and victories that are all the more fleeting the harder that they are won. What helps this message sink in is how relaxed the vibe is. Despite its seriousness mindedness, maturity, and the importance of their subject matter, the tracks on lo&behold manage to convey a sense of calm. Opener "patience" is a good example of this, with drippy sounding hooks and snare and a deep exhaling flow, where you can feel the tension leaving your body more with each bar. Things pick up a little with the psyche-soul infused title-track, produced by long time collaborator Swarvy, a track that bobs and bops with a calm, sun-kissed clarity so earnest it makes Anderson .Paak seems downright spazzy in comparison. There is a good amount of variety on the album that keeps things interesting while remaining steadfastly in a perfect and perpetual reclining position. "Trippin'" has its say with a soft-lipped pucker, while the Swarvy produced "uhoh(whereyoho@?" spices things up with a bit of an Atlanta indebted flow over sifting, spirit-raising jazz samples. The ruffle and shuffle of the Absent Avery produced "over&over / round&round" also solicits jazz honed beats to find its way around life's sharp corners, and closers "myself" and "wisdomlude" ride a single persistent snare cuff like a rail line chartered through an egress to enlightenment. Take a moment to light up, lean back, and give lo&behold a spin. You might now have another chance to feel this chill and centered again for a while.
