Grant JonesAfter his successful full-length LP “The Hour of Khrysis” dropped in 2021, Justus League producer Khrysis has returned with a 7-song EP, this time working with Silent Snipers. But who are they? Both Khrysis and Silent Snipers produce and rap, but this project is primarily putting Silent Snipers over, as he is largely unheard of, even amongst the underground scene. Try Googling him (yep, it’s one guy), and it’s difficult to find anything, although I understand in the year 2024, Google isn’t what it was. Snipers’ look and style isn’t too far from Sonnyjim – it’s laid back and melancholic, although lacks the advanced writing techniques to leave you truly wowed.
There’s a lofi, chillhop feel running throughout this EP, far from the days of hearing “Khrysis on the boards with the heat!” as you slammed your head to a wicked, precisely chopped soul sample. No, this is more in line with the likes of Alchemist, Roc Marciano et al, but I found it only reared its head above average a couple of times. “Somethin’ New”, which features Tha Musalini, is brilliantly mesmerizing, with Snipers using his vocals to great effect. It’s not exactly something new, but it’s the lone musical moment that feels like a complete song that you’ll keep revisiting.
The rest of this EP is certainly Hip-Hop, but it immediately washed over me. I couldn’t get into some of the production on this EP, but it’s worth noting I’m not the biggest fan of drumless instrumentals. “Slow Down” doesn’t get going – it’s one of those beats where you’re waiting for it to kick in, and it never does. I have struggled with emcees like Rome Streetz and Da Flyy Hooligan, because they are perfectly competent at rapping, but none of the words connect. It’s a barrage of rhymes hitting the listener over the head, and I’m left questioning if it was dope or not, or worse, emotionally indifferent. “Nightshade Tea” suffers from this symptom of excessive, ineffective word dispersement.
For Khrysis fans, the last track “Value” retains that trademark bounce of yesteryear and it’s another solid addition to his catalog, but ultimately, I left the “Perfect Time” EP none the wiser about Silent Snipers. He’s perfectly serviceable at braggadocio, internal rhyme schemes and hitting a beat on time, but I was constantly reminded of other emcees, which is rarely a good thing. His ability to craft a snappy hook highlights an artist with clear potential, and while this is a decent introduction to him, I found myself wanting more of the energetic moments and less of the sleeper songs.