Review: Outsider’s “Maestro”
Outsider is my kind of rapper. Over the past year I’ve gained a new found appreciation for rap and he’s topping my list at the moment, not only in the quality in his rapping proficiency and skill but in his message. After watching the music video for “Alone” (below) I watched a bunch of performances for it and really dug the presence Outsider brought to the stage. I also like the way his lyrics have hit me. A lot of the time in Idol music it’s generic and not very affecting lyrics, so I relish in the type of music that has lyrics that are just as important as the beat and melody. Don’t get me wrong, I think groups like Big Bang, DBSK and BEG are all idols that have had affecting lyrics but it’s not as frequent as on a release from an artist that’s a bit more marginal like Outsider.
I think this is a very good album, the rapping is great and though he’s one of the fastest rappers in the world he doesn’t go crazy with the super sonic tongue twisting. The album has hip-hop, pop, R&B and rock influences, giving it a nice sound and great overall musical palette. I enjoyed listening to this all the way through. You see a lot of the other underground rappers on this album like MC Sniper. Though I’m not sure how underground Outsider is as his song “Alone” was number 1 on the charts for 2 weeks in June.
I don’t quite care for “Bleeding Luv (Feat. Kuan A.K.A K-Proud)” as I’m sick of the electro-pop and synthesized mess that is taking over kpop and I don’t care much for “음악 밖에 없어” as I’ve heard that sound a lot before as well.
Overall though, I really liked this album, especially the tracks “청춘고백 (Feat. Joy)” (Cheongchun Confession), “외톨이” (Alone) and “Luv Business (Feat. Bizniz A.K.A Young Gm, J`kyun)” the last, especially, because it reminds me of really great m-flo and Mondo Grosso songs. I would definitely suggest this album, you’ll find something you like on it if you enjoy music that is arresting, music you can groove to and/or music you can rock out a bit to. It’s a nice mix and I like the many sides of Outsider.
I love the album and his flow is just plain sick. When breaks out with the speed it’s just amazing. Nice review btw =]
I really loved the album and probably have listened to it a couple times in its entirety this week alone.
the beginning bit of Luv Business is so, so good!!! when he goes “우리 결혼 하지 않을거면 사랑하지말자” for some reason that line’s just omg.
I also really like City Hunter. Love that song.
HOLY SHIZZLES.
I think the fast rapping is a little distracting. Not sure I can appreciate it yet, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the arrangement of this song.
Thanks…will check him out.
wooa…
is he firing an AK47 or is that rapping thats just relly fast… O.o?
i agree that it got kinda distracting…
i think the beginning was quite ok…
He’s sooooooooooooo awesome. Completely jaw-dropping
anyone else think he looks like L (eru..?!) from death note?
anyway i liked this guy from before but sometimes the machine-gun rapping does get a little annoying but otherwise he’s pretty sick.
and theres something about ‘alone’ that hits way too close to home.
^ I get that L vibe from him too, but I love L so…
I like the album as well. I’m not a proficient Korean speaker by any means, so I like to get translations before I can truly appreciate the album. I have no hope of making any guesses since he goes so fast. I do however like the flow of the album, and the ranges (albit small) of the song. Not every one is like “look at me I’m super fast”. I was watching MuBank when his performance blew me away. I was actually skipping through his part when I saw that the lyrics went all the way up the whole side of the screen I was like what the F is that. So I rolled it back and fell in love.
The first time I listened to “Alone” I was awed and super impressed by his speed, but when I went and looked up the english lyrics, it was a really meaningful song.
I really liked this song, but I’d be dreaming if I ever thought I could sing along, lol.
Sunshine I totally agree. Same omg reaction from me too when he starts Luv Business rapping. Ahh… haha
Outsider is really really impressive. Even though sometimes I find his speed rapping being too effin fast that it’s kinda annoying… or should I say, intimidating in a way? Haha he’s super awesome nevertheless.
I TOTALLY agree with you on Outsider’s “affecting lyrics” thing…
If I heard noon-ee boosheuh, boosheuh one more effing time in a
Kpop song, I was going to stab out my own “noons.”
At first I thought the rapping pattern sounded simialr, but then he blew me away. This guy is good, very talented. I like the flow of it.
Outsider is a BEAST at rapping!
I’ve only really heard “Alone” (and the other songs that you liked) but I can already tell that I’ll like him. I unfortunately don’t know Korean so his “affecting lyrics” have to wait until I get their translations. Will check out his album now though.
He’s so talented. I really like him. I have new found respect for rap as well. And I felt the lyrics to Alone. Kinda reminds me of someone (me).
Am I the only one that hears that the intro to Alone is (ironically) very similar to the opening to H.O.T’s Outside castle? Even to the part with the “finger dance”. It’s driving me crazy no one mentioned this.
Nevertheless I have to thank Seoulbeats for introducing him to me. I’ll be getting his 2nd album before the summer’s out. X3