ShadowFacts - Emerge

by mmog37

Album Overview

Emerge: come out into view, as from concealment; Example “Suddenly the group ShadowFacts has emerged from out of nowhere!”

I’ve heard it said that you can have too much of a good thing, But that is definitely not the case with the latest release from ShadowFacts. Appropriately titled Emerge, this latest work of art had risen and emerged from out of nowhere, with lyrics and beats laced with the Light of God’s Love rising like the eastern sun to chase away the fog from the eyes, ears and minds of the listener. From the first few bars I heard the sound of piano keys, high hat and a bass line and I was hooked, the dj was without a doubt “Frantic” on this one. I must tell you up front that anyone who would try to define the ShadowFacts style of hip hop, would be hard pressed to do so. This is a unique style of hip hop in a category of it’s own. It contains all of the classic hip hop ingredients but at the same time it is fresh and new and something more. If all of the talk of hip hop being dead is true, then perhaps Emerge by ShadowFacts could very well be part of the re-birth. ShadowFacts consisting of four members, Details a.k.a. Jarrod Howard, reSearch a.k.a. Travis Harmon, Obstacle a.k.a. Matthew Lang, and Dj Frantic a.k.a. Mike Tunez, has quickly become one of the hip hop groups on my “One’s to Watch List.” Emerge was released this month by ShadowFacts Recordings, and features the production talents of DJ Frantic, Sivion, Garlic Brown, Theory Hazit, and Engleburt. Joining the hip hop quartet on the mic is Sivion (Room to Breathe), Syntax (Country Slang’n) and the smooth soulful vocal stylings of Keandra Ayers (Maternal Instincts, Gracious and Childlike).

I found myself really diggin the way the emcees and the dj merged together to produce a hip hop equivalent of one of those urban corner quartets that harmonize so well together. With each listen I was taken in by how the music was much more than a mere accompaniment to the lyrics or just a beat to ride, but in most cases it set the tone and the mood of the track. For instance Track 7 “Maternal Instinct”, was a smooth mellow track that had a Spanish Guitar playing that created a mood and an ambiance as the emcees paid tribute to Mom, while Keandra laid down some silky vocals in the background and hook. I never thought I would describe a hip hop song this way, but this was/is a beautiful song, it had me thinking of how blessed and fortunate I am and being thankful for my own mother and the things she has done for me. Another track where there was as synergy between music and message was Track 3 “Relax Ya Mind”, I found myself doing just that as I listened to the mellow almost hypnotic beat. Making it’s way to the favored list, was “Room to Breath” which featured a guest appearance by Sivion of Deepspace5 / Phat Kats fame, it had a jazz like feel to it with lyrical flows to match. Emerge contains a collection of flavors that makes it hard to pinpoint what style of hip hop it is, it really is something that you got to listen to to understand, but as the name suggest this album is sure to “come into the view” of everyone on the Hip Hop scene. Here’s How Emerge is stacked: 14 solid tracks and excellent production from some of the industry’s rising stars. Here’s the Track Listing:

Track Listing:

1 Godspeed
2 Operatic
3 Relax Ya Mind
4 No Regrets
5 The Bridge
6 Interior
7 Maternal Instinct
8 I Wanna See
9 Gracious
10 Room To Breathe
11 Country Slang’n
12 Childlike
13 Can’t Stop
14 Highest Degree

Spiritual Significance

From start to finish or should I say from Godspeed to Highest Degree, Emerge opens and exposes the hearts at the center of ShadowFacts and brings them out into view, touching on the very things that drive us all, the desire to serve God, being willing in the spirit and yet weak in the flesh. Throughout this project there is a theme that Christ is the center of and answer for all things we may face in life. Key spiritual applications found on Emerge, that will appeal to people of all walks of life are; redeeming the time and making the most of it, preparing for the return of Christ, using our gifts and abilities to glorify God, counting the cost living for God with no regrets, and the beauty of God’s Grace to name a few. Even as I sit to write this review I keep hearing something that I didn’t catch before. I took the liberty of asking the members of ShadowFacts what they wanted us (the listeners) to walk away with after hearing Emerge. The response was “We hope people can understand that regardless of how hard life may be, God is our refuge and strength. We’ve experienced the struggles, and we’ve been where they are, and the only hope we have is found in a relationship with Christ. We want people to feel that hope and the passion for life that comes along with it. -ShadowFacts” my reply to that response…Mission Accomplished!

Topics Covered

Whether addressing things that they want to see changed (I Wanna See), or paying homage and respect to their mothers for loving them and showing them the way(Maternal Instinct), Emerge covers a variety of topics that are socially and spiritually relevant today. I hesitate to go into detail, because I want the listener to go on the same journey I did, so I will give a brief breakdown of some of the topics covered and I encourage you to listen to this one several times as it does not disappoint, and I am positive that you will feel the same way.

Pacing ourselves and continue to do what we have been called to do(Godspeed)

Honoring and Thanking Moms for all that they have done and the love they have shown us (Maternal Instinct)

Seeking the Heart of God and enjoying the fullness and beauty of His Grace, the limitless Love of God (Gracious)

Everybody might not be feeling you when you are speaking the truth; speaking the truth in love, (Room to Breathe)

Discusses some of the things they would like to see happen, socially spiritually, politically and personally (I Wanna See)

Fun track about country living and life in the south (Country Slang’n)

Childlike Faith and belief being confused by others as being gullible, childish and immature (Childlike)

Pressing on, we can’t stop following our passion to follow Christ and doing what we have been called to do (Can’t Stop)

Using what we have been given for the Highest Purpose (Highest Degree)

Key Tracks

Godspeed, Relax Your Mind, Maternal Instinct, Gracious, Highest Degree