Kimya Dawson & Aesop Rock come together as The Uncluded to create the collaborative album Hokey Fright.
At first I was a little hesitant, not knowing what to expect from the unusual collaboration. It was like I was listening to nursery rhymes dubbed over by a rap artist.
The fuse of Kimya’s sweet melancholy singing with Aesop Rock’s stern vocals complete 16 tracks on Hokey Fright. They both deliver clever verses over quirky instrumentals which make for a creative mash-up. While Kimya sweetly sings her way through the tracks, Aesop uses word play masterfully. Tracks like “Teleprompters” and “Delicate Cycle” provide lighthearted instrumentals, while the musicians deliver thought-provoking verses. Meanwhile at the opposite pole, “Superheroes” & “WYHUOM” are carefree and playful tracks.
Some may say that Aesop rapping over Kimya’s strumming guitar and folk singing is awkward, but I believe that this is what makes the album unique and refreshing. Embrace the odd combination! They were destined for greatness once the folk singer and rapper joined forces to create a musical experiment that has set a standard unmet by other artists. This is a perfect album to listen to this summer while riding your bike down the block– headphones in, real world out. Give it a listen!