Willis the Illest shows minimal range in his flow, going from nonchalant whispering to a calm and casual flow within seconds. There are plenty of straightforward bars on his latest single “Let It Go” which aims to marry ambient sounds with introspective lyrics, and experimentalism steeped in a deep degree of consciousness.
Produced by Rick van Meijel, “Let It Go” provides a great landscape for eliciting different emotional reactions. To varying degrees in scope, consciousness provocation is at the core of every lyric on the song.
Here, the lyrics are administered in an even more satisfyingly, provocative configuration, whereby listeners get to hear how the rapper manages to operate in comfortable confines of his own voice.
But a more indelible moment comes with the inclusion of the sampled lo-fi static noise of the record player coupled with small riffs of an ’80s synth melody that almost stirs up a nocturnal vibe. Unlike many producers who fizzle out due to firing in different directions, Rick van Meijel maintains his unique style and cohesive artistic vision for the song.
As each minute unfolds, the song materializes into something interesting. The bars exemplify the upside of a solo record, more time to fill means more time to muse, which allows the record to focus around the hushed soliloquies of the rapper as he moves between digressions to quirky thoughtfulness.
It’s a rare combination of rap skill that Willis the Illest manages to bring together, showcasing both his versatile and unmistakable talent. Through his continual willingness to reveal himself through artistic expression he earns the right to experiment a little, and detour from familiar territory of the mainstream audience.
