Disco and Spence :: Heatwave :: Pgasuz Basement
as reviewed by Patrick Taylor
Disco and Spence represent just how global hip-hop has become. They are
from Austin, Texas, but have spent time in Berlin, Germany. It was there
that they met up with DJ Boogie Dan, the host of this EP. Their style pays
homage to Southern rap (and not just in the jokey Pen and Pixel cover art),
but also contains elements of dance music. Given Berlin's place in the
dance music scene, it stands to reason that DJ Boogie Dan may have helped
Disco and Spence go in a more dance-oriented direction. From what I can
tell, Spence handles the production and adds some verses while Disco takes
on the lion share of rhymes.
The album opens with an instrumental intro, which may not have been totally
necessary given that it is an eight-song EP. It then goes into "She Wants
to Dance," a forgettable song about a girl who wants to dance. The 80s beat
is ok, but the rhyming is flat and the hook sounds like it was done by the
Flight of the Conchords.
"Zip-Loc" is a much better effort. The beat hits hard with rumbling bass,
heavy 808s, and snare snaps. Disco and Spence's rapping isn't stellar, but
the banging beat compensates for any flatness in their delivery. The "Rack City"
freestyle "Half Full" is another solid effort, with the beat once
again making up for the shortcomings of the rhymes. "Separation Anxiety" is
the most personal track on the album. Over the "Donald Trump" beat, Disco
spits some love raps, telling his lady "you got me like a seizure." The
album closes with "Ride Slow," which is undone by clunky rhymes and cheesy
synthesized horns.
The rapping is a consistent issue on the album. Of the two, Disco is the
better rapper, but his delivery is often flat and off-key. His partner is
even less skilled on the mic. The end result sounds amateurish and lacking
energy, as if were recorded in their bedroom at 7am without so much as a
cup of coffee to hype them up.
While "Zip-Loc" is a decent track, there isn't much else on "Heatwave" that
warrants your time or makes it stand out from the hundreds of other rap EPs
released each month. Props to Disco and Spence for doing what they are
doing, and good on them if they've found an audience for their take on
hip-hop. Unfortunately I can't count myself as a fan.
Music Vibes: 5 of 10
Lyric Vibes: 4 of 10TOTAL Vibes: 4.5 of 10
![[Heatwave]](../coverart/discospence-Heatwave.jpg)
Disco and Spence represent just how global hip-hop has become. They are
from Austin, Texas, but have spent time in Berlin, Germany. It was there
that they met up with DJ Boogie Dan, the host of this EP. Their style pays
homage to Southern rap (and not just in the jokey Pen and Pixel cover art),
but also contains elements of dance music. Given Berlin's place in the
dance music scene, it stands to reason that DJ Boogie Dan may have helped
Disco and Spence go in a more dance-oriented direction. From what I can
tell, Spence handles the production and adds some verses while Disco takes
on the lion share of rhymes.