Mercy (LP) - BLOODLIN3 (HipHop/Rap) As Lizzo would say, “it’s about damn time!”  Frequent featured artist on our blog, Bloodlin3 has finally blessed us with an album, “Mercy”, after our chance to review singles “Please Don’t Bother Me” and “Until I Fall”. 

In our prior reviews, we noticed a trend to BLOODLIN3 music.  While boasting modern production, BLOODLIN3 tracks were constantly dripping in 90s hiphop nostalgia—the good old days, and the soundtrack to this specific reviewer’s youth.  In “Please Don’t Bother Me” we got Nate Dogg and Marshall Mathers LP vibes, while “Until I Fall” made us think of Ludacris and Twista.  In “Mercy,” we’re happy to say we get even more great references from yesteryear and a boatload of surprises.

BLOODLIN3 calls “Mercy” an homage to the golden era of hip hop in the 1990s, infused with elements of the here and now.  The goal is to give all hiphop and R&B fans something to hold onto in this project.  And in that respect, BLOODLIN3 hits it out of the part.  Let’s dig in.

Quick note, we’ll skip the prior singles so we can focus on the new new.  See our prior reviews for a deeper look at those.

Like any good 90s album, we are treated to an intro, giving us a bit of storytelling in the album to set the stage for the experience, rising the work to more than just a collection of tunes.  “Intro (Enter Bloodlin3)” begins with some TLC/Missy/Usher worthy intro strangeness, and at 2:12 qualifies as a track on its own.  When creepy dolls aren’t haunting us, we get some classic Bloodlin3 melodic layers here that feel like a Timbaland cut for Timbaland & Magoo or Aaliyah’s “One In A Million” LP.

“Execution Day” starts straight Eminem “Forgot About Dre” before moving into Twista and Busta vibes.  While this might not be the intro, it certainly introduces Bloodlin3’s impressive penship and rapid fire spitting.  Bizzy Bone and AC Killer are welcome guests on the track, reminding us of the days in hiphop when all your favorite MCs would hop on a track together.  Don’t miss the bonus Swishahouse remix to this one at the end of the project.

“Where Did All My Homies Go” brings us to Bone Thugs ’N Harmony territory, taking 80s R&B drum kits and synths to create a lush and sparkling production.  If you have nostalgia for “Crossroads,” this is your cut.

“Panic Attack” begins with an ominous newscaster warning us we’re about to get straight up jumped with the next track.  We’re back in Eminem/Twista/Busta territory, with a flow that regularly jumps into triplets that we didn’t realize was a common 90s cadence until we heard it here.  While all the songs are well written, this one has our favorite lyrics.

That being said, “Take Me Away” is our favorite track overall.  The haunting music box background with the tight trap percussion pairs so wonderfully with Bloodlin3’s signature husky, layered vocals and like some of the other tracks, also reminds us of a Timbaland production.  This one just as another layer to it, another dimension.  It sits in the chest — and that sped up vocal hook is absolute heaven. It’s just got extra sauce, we’re not sure how to explain it.

Finally, album closer “I Understand” shocked us with its infusion of smooth jazz, all to tell a deeply personal tale about understanding and appreciating their parents with the 20/20 vision that comes from time.  We were not expecting to hear such a love letter on this project.  The depth of the artistry here is as impressive as it is touching.  What a beautiful note to end on.

In sum, this album had us saying “God damn I miss this music.” And now we don’t have to. Enter BLOODLIN3.