- The long-awaited full-length from Melbourne via Nigeria hip-hop MC Remi has landed, released on his own DIY label House Of Beige, and it is, for want of a better word, fresh. Raw X Infinity is Remi’s second collaboration with producers Sensible J and Dutch, who have outdone themselves with the creation of this visceral pastiche of funk, afrobeat, house and hiphop beats.

Their fuzzy, guttural synths, throbbing bass and found sounds parallel Remi’s own lyrical style, with bizarre bleeps and bloops and instantly recognisable samples, both nostalgic and futuristic. Remi himself expresses his views on politics, pop culture, identity, which makes a refreshing change from the rather tiresome fare of butts and cash and chainzzzz with four Zs.

This album is instantly relatable and can easily be enjoyed by the casual listener, but it really deserves an in-depth listen to fully grasp the individual concepts behind each song. The message of songs such as XTC Party and Ode to Ignorance could be misconstrued with a cursory listen, as Remi rails against the insidious racism that is endemic to modern Australian society, and laments the rampant use of party drugs dulling the young minds of his generation. He articulates perfectly the modern quandary facing a generation of young Australians today, that of being consistently over or underestimated by everyone, of feeling invincible one moment and worthless the next, always compared to those that have been and those to come. The latest single, Tyson, encapsulates that feeling of raw, primal energy, frustrated by those who are always quick to tell you no – the clip for it is worth checking out as well.

Raw X Infinity is an honest, eclectic and thought-provoking offering from a unique young voice in Australian hip hop. The reflective and introspective nature of Remi’s work is easily lost among the fanfare of big bass and sawing synth sounds, but this is a commanding listen, continually surprising, always catchy, frequently inspiring and occasionally touching.

- Hayley Elliott-Maclure.