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Armand Hammer and The Alchemist reunite on 'Mercy,' a record that solidifies their status as the most intellectually potent partnership in modern underground hip-hop. Following on from the critically lauded Haram, this album sees MCs billy woods and Elucid navigating a soundscape of paranoia, historical memory, and dense, often surreal socio-political observation, all anchored by The Alchemist's characteristically warped, claustrophobic production.
The Alchemist provides a masterclass in subtle menace. His beats eschew conventional drum patterns for loops of brittle percussion, unsettling minor-key piano, and heavily processed vocal samples that drift in and out like ghosts. This atmospheric precision creates a perfect foil for the duo's lyrical approach: a stream of consciousness that demands close attention. On tracks like "Praise Be" and "The Last Act," the production feels less like a backdrop and more like a decaying, unreliable environment.
Lyrically, the album is a dense tapestry. billy woods delivers his verses with a sardonic, weary realism, contrasting sharply with Elucid’s more abstract, spiritual, and fragmented delivery. The themes range from the casual horrors of capitalism and the enduring legacy of colonialism to intensely personal reflections on fatigue and betrayal. It is a work that rewards repeat listens, each play offering a new layer of lyrical ambiguity or a newly revealed sound buried deep in the mix.
Mercy is an uncompromising experience. It is not an album built for easy listening or instant gratification, but rather a vital, stark, and utterly compelling document of contemporary anxiety, cementing Armand Hammer and The Alchemist’s legacy as true pioneers of the genre.
Tracklist
1. Laraaji
2. Peshawar
3. Calypso Gene (feat. Silka & Cleo Reed)
4. Glue Traps (feat. Quelle Chris)
5. Scandinavia
6. Nil by Mouth
7. Dogeared (feat. Kapwani)
8. Crisis Phone (feat. Pink Siifu)
9. Moonbow
10. No Grabba
11. u know my body
12. Longjohns (feat. Quelle Chris & Cleo Reed)
13. California Games (feat. Earl Sweatshirt)
14. Super Nintendo