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Album reviews Music

>>> Socalled

A theatrical musical mastermind, Montreal’s Socalled (aka Josh Dolgin) continues to exhibit a rare ability to balance festive production with heavy, all-heart lyrics, something altogether unique in rap music.

As a producer and MC, Dolgin’s soaked up virtually every kind of sound and genre touchstone. As such, Peoplewatching is one left turn after another – a joyous, surprisingly cohesive and guest-laden but ultimately Socalled affair.

On Boyfriend Material and Extra Ordinary, his comedic gifts shine through, while the biggest anomaly of his catalogue, a piano-and-vocals, stream-of-consciousness, Billy Joel-like jam called Fire On Hutchison Street, is surprisingly tender. And how can Never See You Again (featuring James Brown sideman Fred Wesley) sound so uplifting and wistful at once?

It’s all darkness when Katie Moore sings the chorus of Everyone Else Must Fail (derived from a Genghis Khan quote) until Socalled goofs his way in for a verse. From the title track to Bootycaller, Peoplewatching is a sincerely sardonic celebration of humanity.

Top track: Dreamin’ 


Socalled plays David Pecaut Square as part of Luminato on June 24.

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