“BY DECEMBER IMA BE RICH AS F***”
You ever hear a new artist, song or album and think, “Why did it take me so long to hear something like this?” That’s how I felt when I heard Gnarly Noises from Atlanta MC, Gnarly Marley during the pandemic. It was a strong first impression that left me yearning for another project. Since then, he has dropped multiple quality projects.
On June 20th, he added Gnarly Noises 2 (GN2) to his impressive discography. The 14-track album has a run-time of around 46 minutes. The bulk of the production is handled by Mr. PiaClassic (or Pia for short) who has been a long-time collaborator of Gnarly’s. They have an overwhelming chemistry that instantly jumps off the page.
One of the most impressive skills in Gnarly’s repertoire is how he uses his voice. His delivery sounds very authentic and easily conveys the emotions from the lyrics. While he has a distinctive voice, he allows it to fluctuate based on the message in the lyrics. On tracks like “Love Ain’t Enough,” he exudes confidence. On the cinematic “Feels Good 2B Alive/Cmon’ Bro,” we hear a more vulnerable sound after the seamless beat switch.
Lyrically, Gnarly continues to improve. He blends effective, but not overbearing wordplay and an array of hypnotic flows. “Gimme the Loop/Pressure” displays one of Gnarly’s most brilliant flows on GN2.
He then follows up the track with the previously released “Dirty Games.” He laces very honest, vivid lyrics over a masterfully executed soul sample from Pia while rhyming about his love for his daughter, family and homies alike. His close ones and newfound fatherhood continue to play a role in his lyrics, but only sound more compelling in each verse.
Gnarly displays how fatherhood weighs heavy on him, along with his enjoyment of the journey. It’s a beautiful marriage of emotions and dope lyrics that paint a picture that each listener can clearly see.
Gnarly’s ear for beats is another high point of GN2. Like most of his projects, he continues to show his unparalleled chemistry with Pia. Unlike the first Gnarly Noises, Pia uses a lot of soul samples that bring Gnarly’s lyrics to life. “Check Up on Me” and “Training Day” are two beats that sound tailor-made for Gnarly. Their chemistry continues the tradition of an artist and producer locking in and making each other better, similar to the run Alchemist has been on.
While Pia handles most of the production on GN2, Free Market Nico Porter and Michelangelo make notable contributions to the project as well. They add their own flare to GN2 and only widen the lane for Gnarly to do what he does best — rhyme.
There are limited features on the album, which come from Glendino and Gnarly’s most frequent collaborator, Swank Wit Da Dank. Both artists deliver dope verses that allowed them to leave a clear mark on all listeners.
Overall, GN2 is a masterpiece. Gnarly delivered a carefully crafted, brilliant body of work that hits on all points. While it may not be his most lyrical showcase, this is his most complete effort to date. He has clearly developed as a songwriter and overall artist. This is another jewel in the crown of his career, as well as a standout project in a booming Atlanta Underground Hip-Hop scene.
If Gnarly continues to improve and drop masterpieces like GN2, he will be a force that the entire game needs to be ready for.
STAND OUT TRACKS: ” Dirty Games”, “Love Ain’t Enough”, “Check Up On Me” (feat. Swank Wit Da Dank), “Feels Good 2B Alive/Cmon’ Bro”