Funkoars - The Quickening (Album)

If there was a need to pick the kings of the underground hip-hop scene, those kings would be Adelaide’s Funkoars. The group have successfully built up one of the strongest followings all around the country without ever really breaking into mainstream success. That may all change however with the release of their new record ‘The Quickening,’ an album full of fun loving party jams timed perfectly to become your summer soundtrack.

Kicking off with the title track, the rappers cover off their touring lives and the current state of their hip-hop occupation to the backing of a big beat and bright production. This is followed by the record's first single, 'Where I Am', which uses a sample of Shocking Blues Long & Lonesome Road as its hook whilst the Oars rap about past parties along with dirty guitars and a driving beat. The group have mixed things up a little with slower tracks such as 'All We Need', a darker, laid back beat, giving the flow of the record some dynamics before coming in hard and fast for 'The Assassination'. The song is a simple synth driven track that is powered by the vocals, featuring a guest appearance from Vents. Other special appearances include DJ Ad-Fu on the up-tempo 'WDSL?', K21 on the groove heavy 'I Got This', and the Oars' good buddies, The Hilltop Hoods, proving they are Adelaide's finest rappers on 'Bodycount'.

The production is solid and easily on par with the biggest hip-hop acts in the country and the same can be said about the rhymes. The group took a little break after the hefty touring schedule of their last record, ‘The Hangover,’ which seems to have done them good with all members, and the music, sounding refreshed with plenty of clever lyrical subject matters. Whilst some of the tracks might be considered a little too heavy for radio, the lack of chorus hooks may be another factor working against the group, this record is certainly up there with one of Aussie hip-hop’s finest this year.

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