I put Fluents first release ‘Chapters of Substance’ into my CD player before writing this review on his new album ‘The Furnace’ to see what’s happened since then purely for my own knowledge. I am not one to compare and artist to their previous works; although I do think an artist should progress with each release, I try to hold each offering on its own. I couldn’t do that with ‘The Furnace’ purely based on how much the album is ahead of ‘Chapters’ in all areas.

Opening with the quick head smack ‘Spit Surgeon’ we see that Fluent has melted into his flow and style and that his confidence levels have boosted to a level that makes it evident through the mic to a point that you can really feel everything he is spitting. ‘Every Step’ takes us on a thoughtful, insightful and personal journey that brings us to the point that Fluent is at now, and he seems mighty comfortable there as displayed in ‘Lead Pipe Languages’. The heat doesn’t let up for a second as Fluent is joined by Maundz and Fatty Phew over a massive WIK beat on ‘Loco Motive’. Once again this builds further anticipation for a Maundz solo and shows us that Phew is still killin shit out G Town way, all three emcees destroy shit. Another triple threat guest spot comes on ‘Take Notice’ featuring Brad Strut and Ciecmate, who is on the production tip as well. Fluent steps up his whole rhyme structure and comes with a technical, metaphor filled verse that is arguably the best verse on the track.

Fluents progression is further shown over the next few tracks with ‘Short Stories’ and ‘Paper Chase Days’; highlighting his ability to paint a picture with words, and ‘The Furnace Cometh’ and ‘Endless Road’ showing us his skills to switch up flow and his huge presence over a smooth bassy Geko banger. The horns come thick on the Doc Felix produced ‘Authorized’ which gives Fluent a bit of swagger to his vocals that suit the track perfectly. Fluent has a good ear for beats that will suit him and has chosen wisely from a large array of varying producers including Discourse, Geko, WIK, K21, Ciecmate, Doc Felix and Must. That’s a fucken production line up. As spoken about earlier his guest emcees are suited perfectly, again shown on ‘4 Aces’ with Mata, Must and an insane verse from 1/6, Pang in the house. Nothing comes close to a crew cut though and Crate Cartel heads Raven and Geko join Fluent on ‘Capo Regime’ in a back and forth exchange that shows why the label has quickly earned a reputation for quality product. All emcees kill it, the interaction is great and the Geko banger has a layer of funk that makes this track one of the biggest highlights on the album. Finishing on ‘Bright Lights, Dark Shadows’; Fluent takes a look at both sides of Melbourne city in a lyric assault with an unforgiving flow, impressive.

‘The Furnace’ is a solid album from start to end for real hip hop lovers. At first listen some may find Fluents flow and delivery a bit intense but after a few listens the true style to it shines through and you hear his ability to focus on a variety of topics and emotions through his tracks. The guest spots are relevant and of high quality as is the production. There is no reason to not go out and purchase this album, good work.

Fluent Form Myspace