R.A.P Ferreira — the Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures — Album Review
Alternative | Experimental | Rap
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
At the very beginning of 2021 (literally on New Year’s Day), we were blessed by the unique collaboration between the alias of Rory Ferreira, also known as R.A.P Ferreira, and…well…the other alias of Rory, which is known as Scallops Hotel. The resulting piece of said collaboration was an album called Bob’s Son, a project that really did kick off this year with an artistic and poetic bang. I definitely saw Bob’s Son as an underrated piece, and felt that it got way more negative reception than it truly deserved.
In terms of the individual projects that had both come from the creative mind of Rory Ferreira, it was actually Scallops Hotel that I had heard of first. With his 2018 album, Sovereign Nose Of Your Arrogant Face, Scallops Hotel was the subject of my very first singular album review, following my decision to start reviewing music in 2018. That being said, the uniqueness and artistry of said album gave me enough of an incentive to follow Rory and his work.
What is now seemingly his most favoured alias, R.A.P Ferreira was conceived a little later on. I was there when Rory released his debut single under R.A.P Ferreira, which was titled “Respectdue”. The more accessible and gritty nature of this track displayed a promising change of style; another to add to the musical palette which is Rory’s collective discography.
Following on from this, we got the debut R.A.P Ferreira album in March of 2020, named Purple Moonlight Pages, which displayed more of that accessible feel. However, while a very solid record in its own right, I felt that it was somewhat lacking in that artistic feel that made Rory so unique amongst other wordsmiths.
And as we creep into the final month of 2021, Rory has one more musical trick up his sleeve. His sophomore solo effort as R.A.P Ferreira. Enter; the Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures.
This is the second project of the year from Rory Ferreira that fans have been able to listen to. It is also the second example that Rory has really chiseled out his aesthetic in 2021. the Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures is noticeably more artistic and unique than R.A.P Ferreiras 2020 project, but not at the cost of its grittier qualities. In essence, this album is another that presents “the best of both worlds”, but this time with only Rory’s newest alias behind the wheel.
To further prove the greater implementation of the “artistic” feel that I speak of, there are actually plenty of references to art and artists across this album, with figures like Jackson Pollock and Ansel Adams referenced, just to name a few.
But aside from the lyrical artistry, the production behind this album’s instrumentals definitely sound more abstract than those on Purple Moonlight Pages. However, said production also has a crispness to it that allow it to stand out from the Scallops Hotel material as well.
In regards to comparing this album to Bob’s Son, however, I would actually say that this is at least equal in quality to that project, if not better. However, the fact that Bob’s Son was released when it was, had allowed me to build up plenty more sentimentality towards it. It would be a tough choice deciding which of the two projects I will end up placing on my top albums list. But both projects have been two of the best showcases of just how talented Rory Ferreira truly is.
Favourite Tracks: Brother Mouzone Library Card | Blackmissionfigs | East Nashville | Uptown 37
Least Favourite Track: Wedding Cake Eighths
Ruby Yacht
Enjoyment: 8/10 | Memorability: 8/10 | Atmosphere: 9/10
Uniqueness: 9/10 | Satisfaction: 9/10 | Narrative: 8/10
