Diafrix: Pocket Full Of Dreams
- One could be forgiven for almost forgetting about African-born, Melbourne based dual MC, one-two punch, tour de force that is Diafrix. After three years and some change, the MC duo of Momo and Azmarino have finally followed up their debut release, Concrete Jungle, with all new, game changing record, Pocket Full Of Dreams - a record that sees the core duo really step it up and continue to grow in leaps and bounds.
Though the wait has been a little excessive, releasing Pocket Full Of Dreams just as the weather warms up and the sun starts shining just that little brighter seems like either a stroke of genius or just dumb good timing. The warm, upbeat and almost soulful grooves that cruise through the record are the perfect accompaniment to looking out the window to see nothing but blue skies and a searingly terrifying sun slowly working it's blinding, black magic, riding the fine line between giving life and taking it away. Despite both gents spending now the majority of their lives living in our relatively fair land, the music the pair make is far removed from most of the questionable hip-hop/pop/funk crossover you'll find, they bust out a glorious plethora of genres that somehow isn't undone by its fearless nature.
Occasionally the record veers slightly into territory too smooth and chilled and most of the guests here supply a little too much sugar (see: ex-Australian idol Stan Walker & Aussie ex-pat Daniel Merriweather), and honestly, as a cutting-edge, young ruffian about town, it's hard for me to truly vibe out to a couple of these tracks. Despite this there's definitely something likeable about Pocket Full Of Dreams, the African-Australian fusion a thing of joy when it clicks, with Momo and Azmarino embracing a literal world full of ideas, sounds and influences, this is an endearing, honest and interesting collection that see's Diafrix launch back into relevance in the blink of an eye. Next time round the boys might not want to leave it so long between drinks, oh and they should drop pop-crossovers unless they can get Drake or Frank Ocean to do them a massive favour, but I can't see that happening anytime soon, so yeah, less Stan Walker please - it just pushes me away - you've proven that you can deliver the smooth, silky hooks you're own self throughout the record, at this point you're just flushing money down the toilet. Apart from such relatively minor issues with Diafrix's sophomore effort, I'm quite surprised how much I enjoy this little Pocket Full Of Dreams, next time round I'll be a little older, a little wiser and probably a better mental fit for you Diafrix, see you on the other side.
- Jay Edwards.
