Album Review: Bliss N Eso, Running On Air

05 August 2010

by Poppy Reid

Bliss N Eso’s fifth studio album completely rejects the common musical trend of diminished returns: that as time goes on, the music goes off.

Running On Air could have been ten years in the making, with the past four albums all laying the foundation for this rebirth. Practice seems to have made perfect for MC Bliss, MC Esoterik and DJ Izm; along with a few hip-hop leaders (Xzibit, Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Jehst) and acclaimed producer Hattori Hunzo, the Sydney rappers have created a layered journey of diverse velocities through 16 tracks guaranteed to surprise.

Although there are actually 19 tracks on the record, the first 2 minutes and 11 seconds should be skipped, Never Land is spoken philosophical filler that should have been replaced along with the other ‘nothing’ track Caught At The Pub which is basically a recording of someone explaining The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy and how it was supposedly written on LSD.

With such filler aside, second track Flying Through The City opens with beating drums and sounding horns to create a stylised rap battle where both Bliss and Eso are on the same team. The track references both Chuck Berry’s Go Johnny Go and nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep, coupled with their own grimey twist.

Running On Air is streaked with festival ready highlights and polished backdrops featuring strings and piano. Tracks Art House Audio and The Moses Twist convey surprising articulate diction; even the lyrics prove a developed vocabulary.

Their first radio-released single Down By The River has more raw qualities than its counterparts, Bliss’ growling vocals spark Limp Bizkit nostalgia; a ballsy comparison considering the clash of genres but it’s the cocky grimace heard in the vocals that fires it.

The track People Up On It also deserves recognition as both one of the hardest rap numbers and for its novelty factor with the use of Xzibit. Bliss N Eso take a back seat for this one as Xzibit dominates with a lovely reference to “Aussie chicks with huge titties.”

Running On Air is a collection of reminders that Bliss N Eso are taking the Australian Hip Hop scene to a new level, commanding attention (even from those who aren’t ready to be commanded) and setting the standard for all newcomers.