Arizona hip-hop trio Injury Reserve has had quite the year. After 2017’s mixtape Drive It Like It’s Stolen, their 2018 was spent headlining their first tour with JPEGMAFIA, signing their first record deal, and recording for their debut record Injury Reserve released last Friday. Although the group is relatively unknown, their singles ‘Oh Shit!!!’, ‘Campfire’ and ‘Jailbreak the Tesla’ (the latter two of which feature PDX native Aminé) have quickly helped them establish their place in the underground hip-hop scene.

Injury Reserve's music combines many qualities from both modern and classic hip-hop, as well as pop, R&B, punk, and garage rock. Their sound is consistently inconsistent, but often times their music pairs slick hip-hop delivery and diverse production methods, with a dash of abrasive instrumentation. Their newest self-titled album is no exception, as Injury Reserve is full of excitement at every turn.

Injury Reserve’s Self Titled album contains heavy thematic elements surrounding the rise to fame, addressing the past, and the problems that can come from trying to balance the two. The opening track ‘Koruna and Lime’ is a disjointed but catchy introduction to the group and their talents. The beat’s plain melody paired with the abrasive and industrial effects create an aggressive emotional tone that carries over into many of the other tracks. The song features rappers Stepa Groggs and Ritchie With a T delivering hard-hitting yet smooth bars with an unparalleled confidence describing their status in terms of both street credit and their ability to make money.

‘Koruna and Lime’ contains a formula that can be seen on many other tracks, such as ‘GTFU’ with JPEGMAFIA and Cakes da Killa, ‘Hello?!’, and ‘Best Spot in the House’, where the beat contains elements of an almost indulgent simplicity while also entertaining outlandish and unique pieces of glitchy instrumentation and samples. Even the song ‘QWERTY Interlude’ embraces this overly technical trend with chopped up vocals with an 808 heavy beat and a snare. Technology is the most dominant theme on this album both aurally and lyrically, but the technology isn’t explored too deeply in the album’s rapping except on the track ‘Jailbreak the Tesla’ featuring Aminé.

If there was any song on the album that would be Injury Reserve’s standout moment, ‘Jailbreak the Tesla’ stands alone. The beat subverts the audiences expectations of a simple but engaging arrangement, as the song contains multiple tracks of vocals, percussion, mbira-adjascent melodies, chaotic static, and even car noises. Ritchie’s verse contains two vocal tracks laid over one another, with them often being attuned off-pitch in instances that are equally interesting and eerie. Here he details his desire to, quite literally, Jailbreak a Tesla, exploring themes of money and the potentially unlawful manipulation of power via technological means. If that sounds like a reach, it’s because it probably is, but his verse is aggressive, and he flows well on a beat that would overpower many modern rappers. Aminé also pops in and shouts out Grimes, while delivering a fire performance as expected.

There are other notable moments on the album, such as the hard and humorous ‘Rap Song Tutorial’, the wonky and topsy-turvy classic piano sound of ‘Gravy n’ Biscuits’, and the chill but also hard-hitting ‘Wax On’ featuring a performance from Freddie Gibbs. Injury Reserve certainly portrays the group’s talents and abilities, but there are also weaker moments that don’t seem to fit on the album or make sense within the sonic and lyrical narrative of the album. ‘Jawbreaker’ featuring Rico Nasty and Pro Teens is a boring cut from the album that was actually on of the singles to the project itself. Songs like ‘What a Year It’s Been’ sound boring when compared to the flashiness of the album’s other tracks, but every moment of boring lyricism or uninspired production is easy to forgive after the album’s closing track ’Three Man Weave’. A sunny and jazzy classic rap track that almost sounds like it could be a Tribe Called Quest track, this song acts as Injury Reserve’s Victory lap after a solid first album.

Injury Reserve is definitely a group that will be on many hip-hop fans watch lists. Few groups show this much potential this soon after their first record deal. After this album, it’s clear skies from here.

Favorite Tracks

Jailbreak the Tesla (Feat. Aminé)

Wax On (Feat. Freddie Gibbs)

Three Man Weave

Rating: 7

Listen to Injury Reserve here:

Injury Reserve, an album by Injury Reserve on Spotify

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By Spencer Lobdell

Welcome to “Songs of the Week” a weekly segment where I highlight three of the best new songs released the week prior along with one throwback song of the week. To stay up to date on all new music, follow my Spotify playlist “What I’m Feeling” which is updated weekly to always include the freshest new music. Always 30 songs, hottest always at the top. Stream it here:

A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.

New Songs of the Week:

“CAPO” by NLE Choppa

CAPO, a song by NLE Choppa on Spotify

At the beginning of the year the world was introduced to 16 year old NLE Choppa when his high energy underground hit “Shotta Flow” broke onto the charts. The Memphis rapper is back this week with a cut even more exciting than his breakout hit. On “CAPO” Choppa once again shows his ability to lock into an instrumental and snap on verses but this time it’s his menacing hook that steals the show. This is the best song we’ve heard from the promising young artist only adding to the already existing excitement surrounding his name.

“Ran down in the street, man, this nigga tried to play me
 I hit one in the head but his gun was on safety
 They askin’ how I been, what I been feelin’ lately 
I got good aim in the pocket like I’m Brady”

— NLE Choppa "CAPO"

“WOAH” BY RICH THE KID (FEAT. MIGUEL & TY DOLLA $IGN)

Woah (feat. Miguel & Ty Dolla $ign), a song by Rich The Kid, Miguel, Ty Dolla $ign on Spotify

This week Rich the Kid dropped The World Is Yours 2. While Rich sticks to his tested formula for most of the album, the occasional detour into a more experimental direction lead to the best moments on the album. This is the case with the slower, wavy cut “Woah” which is the best song on the album. Everything about this song is pure bliss from Miguels beautiful harmonies on the chorus to Rich’s tasteful and entertaining first verse. This song can fit many different vibes giving it serious potential when it comes to sales. Regardless of how it sells, I don’t see this song leaving my constant rotation any time soon.

“She got that woah
 She got that drip slow
 She got that I might pull up on her buy a Range Rove”

— Rich The Kid "Woah"

“Jailbreak the Tesla” by Injury Reserve (Feat. Amine)

Jailbreak the Tesla (feat. Aminé), a song by Injury Reserve, Aminé on Spotify

This week, critically acclaimed rap trio Injury Reserved teamed up with Amine for their second release this year. “Jailbreak the Tesla” is a grinding cut anchored by a futuristic instrumental filled with high-tech sound effects. Injury Reserve and Amine go bar for bar throughout the song rapping about their cars and connecting it to when everyone was obsessed with jailbreaking their apple products. It appears an album is on the near horizon for Injury Reserve which is always a reason for excitement.

“Had the iPod Touch with the Redsn0w
Cydia, but you could pirate all the apps though
They would have security cams by the back doors
Nigga, this was Limewire on crack, though”

— Richie With a T "Jailbreak the Tesla"

Throwback song of the week:

“M.F.T.R” by Pusha T (Feat. The Dream)

M.F.T.R., a song by Pusha T, The-Dream on Spotify

In 2015 Pusha T released King Push, a perfect precursor for his masterpiece that was Daytona. The third track on the album “M.F.T.R” stands for “More Famous Than Rich” and showcases King Push coming for the throat of all clout chasers in the industry. Pusha has always made a point of his authenticity and “M.F.T.R” is one of the best examples. The Dream assists on the song and sings an epic hook that sits perfectly on top of the polished instrumental. “M.F.T.R” is a sleeper in Pusha T’s excellent discography and a personal favorite.

“King Push is synonymous with kingpin
Chess moves on your checkerboard, king him”

— Pusha T "M.F.T.R"

Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post: