Russ “Santiago” Album Review

SANTIAGO

Russ

• Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
• Date: 18 Aug, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Track(s): 13
• ℗ 2023 DIEMON

SANTIAGO is Russ’ fifth studio album. On May 27th, 2023, Russ posted a handwritten statement detailing the album’s concept and emotional origins. Russ has been hyping the release of his new album SANTIAGO for months, telling fans that it’s unlike anything he’s done before.

The album, which includes 13 tracks in total, boasts appearances from Rexx Life Raj, Justin Nozuka, Jhene Aiko, and Bibi Bourelly, who is featured on three songs. Russ raps and sings about his personal challenges, family issues, mental health, insecurities, money, and alcohol throughout the album.

Album Cover Art

Russ uses an animated photo of what would appear to be himself in pretty bad shape. There’s a cut across his right eye, a first-aid plaster over his nose bridge, with blood slowly trickling down his nose and mouth where spots some missing teeth. Yet, somehow, he manages to crack a crooked smile through the pain.

Tracks and Features

With a half-baked, dreamy R&B ballad promising his love that he will see her as soon as possible, “See You Soon” sets the tone for what’s to come. In contrast, “Smooth” works in a glistening boom bap beat talking about being connected to the truth even though bars like “We in Paris like we spoke French” are kind of cringe. Just before “No More” maintains the acoustics while horribly crying about not wanting to cry anymore, “Fraud” aims for a more minimal sound and admits that he is lost.

Moving on, “Empty” tells us that’s precisely how he feels inside over a self-produced guitar solo and hi-hats. Russ honestly admits in the song that the emptiness he has battled with in recent years has been more difficult to overcome than Sauce Garnder. His singing has a weight that makes it seem as though he is on the verge of giving in to his inner struggle. Thankfully, the song has a catchy, enthralling chorus and a bright, cheerful production.

“I Love You Boy” switches the hi-hats for kicks and snares, as Russ gets totally vulnerable, in tune with his inner child. While “Enough” opts for a more sample-based sound, feeling refreshed and confident that he is enough, “Adventure” begins with more minimal guitars, expressing that he is not lost and that the boom-bap switch-up in the last few seconds was a pleasant surprise.

Over a hazy instrumental, “Oasis,” featuring Jhene Aiko, Russ explores the theme of finding solace in one’s own home. The erroneous belief that material possessions, booze, and company may provide true happiness is bravely challenged by Russ on this song.

“Fatima” conjures up yet another formulaic pop rap ballad with a passably bluesy groove. While the concluding track, “Tunnel Vision,” talks about taking pride in oneself over a summer’s instrumental, the song “Distracted” combines more synthesizers melodically and vocally refusing to let anything distract him. However, the 5-minute, hazily produced closer “The Wind” features him talking about the need for his ultimate focus.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	TIME
1	See You Soon	1:16
2	Smooth	2:49
3	Fraud (feat. Justin Nozuka)	3:10
4	No More	3:10
5	Empty	2:23
6	I Love You Boy	4:13
7	Enough	2:16
8	Adventure (feat. Rexx Life Raj)	3:39
9	Oasis (feat. Bibi Bourelly)	3:09
10	Fatima	2:46
11	Distracted (feat. Bibi Bourelly)	3:46
12	Tunnel Vision (feat. Bibi Bourelly)	3:38
13	The Wind	5:00

Album Theme

While Russ frequently uses his rap lines to impart lessons and address relevant subjects, he embraces his singing side to access his most intense feelings. The unpredictability of how these two styles interact keeps listeners interested and involved.

In SANTIAGO, Russ bares all, reflecting on times of failure, resiliency, annoyance, and feeling undervalued. The album takes the listener on a voyage across his emotional landscape as fervent rapping and singing capture the range of his emotions.

Production Credits

Aaron Paris, A.J. Hall, Blest Jones, Brokeboi, Carat, Chris LaRocca, CHRIS YONGE, Justin Nozuka, LUCAS QUINN, Marow, Melanie Faye, pilotkid, Russ, Tyde, Tyler James & UNKWN produced the album.

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