Rapper's Delight: 'The Family Sign'

posted in: Reviews & Playlists • Urban

The evolution of Atmosphere continues with The Family Sign, their dark and intimate sixth album released in mid-April. Sure, Sean Daley, better known as Slug, has gotten a lot more serious since his last two releases, but don’t sell the album short just because there are a few luke-warm reviews out there. This time around, Slug and Anthony Davis, aka Ant, are partnered up with keyboardist Erick Anderson and guitarist Nate Collis, and they really bring a new element to the group. The fourteen track album is riddled with floating piano and heartfelt guitar riffs which compliment Slug’s mood perfectly.

“It is a very personal record. But I’m starting to feel like I can say that about most of our records,” explains Slug. “I guess that’s what we do, we make personal music. This album is a glimpse into what’s been on my mind for the last year and a half. The magic and the tragic of life and stuff.”

That being said, what’s so great about The Family Sign anyway? For us, the track “Became” explains it pretty well on its own. The production is spot on, the piano eerie and tense, but it’s the narrative that really grabs you. The song describes Slug waking up in the woods and discovering that his mysterious camping partner is missing. As he follows his/her tracks into the woods, he finds a set of wolf prints following close behind. The magic of the song is in Slug’s ability to build tension and express genuine emotion in his growing concern. As an added bonus, once the metaphorical story ends you are left with a true sense of Slug’s state of mind. “The Last To Say,” an awfully realistic tale of domestic abuse, and “If You Can Save Me Now” are other gems on the album. Sure, there are some weaker tracks. “Bad Bad Daddy” and “She’s Enough” probably shouldn’t have made it to the final track list, for example. But overall, a solid album from an exceptional group.

But it’s not all dark and ominous. “We are blessed to be in a position to spend our time making music, so there are a lot of smiles involved,” says Slug. “Sometimes it can feel like trying to solve a difficult puzzle, but you know if you stay focused and concentrated, you will solve it and that validation of the moment of solution awaits.”

Below, we’ve posted the track “Became” just for you. If you dig it, then check out the album now.