K2 Cocky – I dunno what to name it: SOCIAL STUDIES DELUXE (Album Review)

In today’s review, we shall explore the intricate world of an artist that has been written about on this platform before. His album, SOCIAL STUDIES was met with a unique category that I’ve never given out before- I give a rating of ‘Mediocre to Good’. However, the artist’s emotions and relationship with that review seemed to spiral out of control overtime, initially starting from acceptance and a cordial tone to outright dismissal of the review itself. With an intent of revenge and some of kind of emotional potency, he returns to this platform to have a deluxe version of the same album, titled K2 Cocky – I dunno what to name it: SOCIAL STUDIES DELUXE (Album Review). It is quite strange for me to even review this album again, given the fact that the artist boasts a high number of streams- that of which I acknowledged in the first review, as a contrast to my opinion. However, that point gets overlooked and thrown again in the light of my honest perception of the review. We shall explore this album again, and let’s objectively analyse it without any brouhaha.

K2 Cocky is an artist described as an LGBTQ shock rapper turned rocker. His current release consists of previously unreleased demos, b-sides, songs that were made interestingly using only vocal and nasal samples, as well as unique instrumentals. His fans, named Spice Cadets, have hailed it as his most radical and fantastic release to date.

He complements his release with an upcoming music video titled The Second P, with the intent to expose powerhouse A&Rs who left him homeless in group home institutions for several years especially after his mother committed suicide just 3 years prior. The rapper, both blacklisted in the industry and once dwelling in the group home system, has been diagnosed with c-PTSD. All proceeds of the demo ‘Go TAM’ are going to a disability and special needs institute in New York called Jawonio, known for its immense work in Hudson Valley, where the rapper and rocker is rumored to live. Music aside, I do commend K2 Cocky for being strong amidst the chaos and having the foresight to return back to his community. It is not easy for one to recover from such traumatic incidents, and I mean that seriously without an ounce of mockery.

With this deluxe edition, I’m afraid to say that the main problem with the previous release still remains- none of the advice I have written about mastering the tracks, especially the vocals, levels and EQ have been taken seriously. In fact, it turned into a thing of me versus them, when I can hear that the vocals, even from the main track, have not been professionally mastered. The levels in the instrumentals all clash with each other, even if the compositional intent is extremely interesting. This artist has potential, nobody’s denying that. There is indeed a market for this sound, but mastering is incredibly important. It’s the reason why other songs that are popular today may not even have the most complex musical intent can still ‘make it’ in the industry.

In a similar fashion, the tracks that have more of a synthesized sound tend to be mastered a little better, except for the vocals. Tracks like ‘No-One Likes You’, ‘Facemask’ and ‘Runs in the Blood’ have their compositional roots in a lot of shock rap and rock music from the late 90s, offering the same punch that his counterparts, such as Marilyn Manson has. However, the vocals and levels are not up to par. There is definitely effort put into the instrumental, combining a harsh rock sound with a technological flair- in some aspects, the hyper saw gives me the feel of a revival of 2010s electro-fusion music, and that is wonderful. In fact, the hypersaw is making a comeback.

I personally like the concept of certain tracks like ‘Graven Images’, ‘Justin, Martyr’d’ where the compositional intent of the song is abstract, and bears no vocals. There are a few mastering issues, such as the peak meter possibly going in the red, but the chord structure and the percussion stand out. It sounds like an edgy title track to a sci-fi or action movie in the 90s, and that is NEEDED. We need edgy music that takes the time to relish in its genre, without sounding too commercialised or fake. I can hear your authenticity, K2 Cocky. These instrumentals take the time to appeal to the listener without any kind of distraction. Special mention to the snare drum in ‘Prayer Bodiez’, as that is definitely sharpened well.

In an interesting turn of events, ‘R3M1X3D & R3M45T3RD’ has a very interesting compositional intent, sticking to the theme of using isolate vocal noises and chops to create a succinct and delicate soundscape. I think this adds a high degree of percussion and personalisation to the tracks, and with further mastering, this idea would definitely take off. It has a glimmer of innovation within its composition.

At the end of this, I have to say that my perception of this record is otherwise unchanged from the original release. I know the artist has weaponised my own words against me, to completely disregard any kind of actual advice or good aspects of his own artistry that I have pointed out, but if the deluxe edition bears the same flaws and the same wins as the main edition then I’m afraid to say nothing has artistically changed, but only emotionally.

My point still stands that the mastering and the mastering of tracks, particularly with vocals act as the main barrier to a sense of commercialism. It can stand as an underground act, and as I’ve mentioned before, if there is a fanbase behind it, then of course it has its own unique charm. However, on a music review website where I have to take EVERY SINGLE ALBUM AND SINGLE (pun intended) into consideration, would it really be fair for me to rank this higher than a body of work that is better mastered? I understand the emotional potency, and all of the trauma behind this work. For someone that has gone through strife, and definitely shines as a producer with innovative ideas and a knack for combining genres, K2 Cocky’s body of work is not something to shun.

But when I rarely give anyone a ‘transitionary’ rating, and advice is not seriously taken, instead, being used as an emotional weapon, then there is no real growth. And this lack of real growth shows in the lack of a deviation of standard from the previous release.

Score/Mediocre to Good: With the same standard of artistry in the regular version of ‘SOCIAL STUDIES’, ‘SOCIAL STUDIES: DELUXE’ still bears the same fiery artistry and undeniably creative intent with the same mastering and vocal mastering issues. Once again, the production on a lot of these tracks are pretty interesting and I have pointed out the artist’s proficiency. K2 Cocky still has untapped potential that needs further cultivating.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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