AraabMuzik
Dream World
Release Date: Jul 5, 2016
Genre(s): Electronic
Record label: Empire
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Album Review: Dream World by AraabMuzik
Very Good, Based on 4 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
Late last year, Abraham Orellana (a.k.a. AraabMuzik) released two EPs: one covering the hip-hop-influenced beat music he's become associated with (Goon Loops), and the other featuring more EDM-inspired material (King). It was speculated that this would signal Orellana's move into clubbier sounds, something he's hinted at in recent interviews; he quipped to MTV that "That's where the money is."But when you're a musician as exceptionally creative as AraabMuzik, you don't shift the make-up of your sound without bringing a heck of a lot of yourself with it.
Based on rating B-
AraabMuzik’s early career as a beatmaker for rappers like Cam’ron and other members of the Diplomats seems further behind him than it actually is. The Providence producer is now more than half a decade removed from his signature beats for those artists (“Get It in Ohio”, “Salute”); AraabMuzik (aka Abraham Orellana) has since rerouted his career trajectory, oscillating between rap beats and EDM production as he pleases. No matter what sounds he’s dealt with, though, there’s always been something forward-thinking about Orellana’s music.
Based on rating 6.1/10
It’s easy to forget that AraabMuzik has successfully been making beats for close to a decade. The Providence producer's widespread allure arrived near 2010 when pop music fell head-first into the EDM scene. His 2011 debut LP Electronic Dream capitalized heavily off that trend, with woozy dreamscapes that ultimately trickled into the humble rap beginnings from which he came (primarily Cam’ron and his Dipset dynasty).
Opinion: Fairly Good
?AraabMuzik made his name crafting grimey New York beats for the likes of Cam’Ron, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, and A$AP Mob, but on his second LP Dream World, the veteran producer’s sound is flecked with EDM and trap influences, which is inspired but doesn’t do much to suit his strenghts. Making a compelling hip-hop instrumental record is difficult, particularly if the artist doesn't rely heavily on samples, so it's understandable why AraabMuzik decides to go the electronic route frequently on Dream World. He isn't as adept at creating richly textured beats like Clams Casino, and his tracks don't have dancefloor flare like Kaytranada.
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