Staring into a fire is an unequivocally human experience. Watching idly by as the heat of the flames melt away the old to give way to something new seems almost therapeutic, that is when those flames aren’t engulfing your own sanctuary.

Isaiah Rashad’s The House Is Burning, presents the pressing duality of this very scenario. “God’s not going to save you. I mean, he can. Because I believe in God. But God alone is not going to save you,” Rashad said in an interview with FADER Magazine. “When your house is on fire, are you going to go into that bitch to get the personal possessions, or are you just going to trust in yourself and in God that you’re going to be able to bounce back?”

Following up his debut masterpiece Cilvia Demo with an LP as intricate as his 2016 effort The Sun’s Tirade, had most rap enthusiasts pinning Zay as the crown prince of the game.

However, Zay was dealing with his own struggles at the time. From essentially giving up rapping and becoming dead broke to battling drug addiction and eventually entering rehab, putting out a new album was the least of Zay’s concerns over the past five years. “I was doing whatever I could to escape,” said Rashad. “Being out in L.A. without anything anchoring me down fucked me up. You can float off out here. You can get lost in this bitch.”

Since our first introduction to his music, Isaiah Rashad has proven time and time again his mastery of presenting profoundly existential concepts with a potent joviality. The House Is Burning is really no different, as Zay recounts his struggles over his music hiatus over energetic yet psychedelic trip-hop production.

Perhaps the most definitive example of the dichotomy that is The House Is Burning is its two opening tracks, “Darkseid” and “From the Garden.” On the album opener, Zay speaks of attempting to stay out of trouble and the perils of the music industry, comparing them to DC Comics’ infamous villain Darkseid. On the ladder, Zay absolutely lays loose with braggadocious bars over an 808 ridden beat featuring Lil Uzi Vert.

The project has plenty of sonic diversity, while mostly focusing on the theme of recovery and what Zay has been up to these past five years. Tracks like “RIP Young,” “Wat U Sed,” and “Chad” have a head-bopping energy, as well as unmistakable Tennessee trap influence. Zay’s skill and versatility as an R&B singer shine through as he slows things down on “Claymore,” “Headshots (4r Da Locals),” and “Score.”

As usual with Zay projects, the guest list on this project is stacked to the brim with talent. SZA, Smino, 6LACK, Amindi, and Iamdoechii provide beautiful vocals on their respective tracks, allowing Zay to handle the rapping. Jay Rock, Duke Deuce, Jay Worthy, YGTUT, and Uzi lend compelling guest verses (especially Jay Rock, wow).

“Score” is a clear standout from the tracklist. Over silky Kenny Beats production, Zay harmonizes about a lost lover. SZA and 6LACK accompany him on the chorus and their own verses, giving the song a velvety smoothness.

But perhaps the best song on the record, and one of Zay’s most honest songs is the closer of The House Is Burning titled “HB2U.” Opening with a conversation, Zay immediately establishes the stakes of the predicament that the title of the album implies. “Is there a heaven?” a child asks, a voice replies with affirmation. The child asks “How do you know that?” prompting the stale voice to reply “You don’t.” The first half of the record is triumphant, a declaration of victory for Zay who has been to hell and back, or rather into the burning house and back. Zay asks “If you don’t ever get yourself straight, who the fuck is you gon’ help mane?” “HB2U’s” first half is a recollection of the lessons Zay has learned: trusting in oneself to pull through even when it seems your life is collapsing around you. A tear-jerking celebration of a life renewed, “HB2U” takes a darker turn after a beat switch.

After a brief pause, a hallucinogenic melody cuts in with Zay harmonizing “You are now a human being.” This chorus possibly refers to the fact that most of Zay’s previous work was recorded under the influence of alcohol. The House Is Burning was recorded without the tempting escapism of being drunk, again hammering home the theme of the project. “This ain’t as hard as it gets, but I'm still on drugs,” sings Zay in the closing seconds of the project. “HB2U’s” second half acts as an intimidating warning to Zay himself, to continue his progress in life, or lose it all again and succumb to his old ways. “Am I cheating myself, I'm imploding.” As a whole, the song is haunting, victorious, revealing, sobering, a masterpiece.

“The House Is Burning” is a concept executed with razor-edge precision. A passionate, soulful project with the healing power of 100 hours of therapy, Isaiah Rashad has blessed his fans with something truly sentimental.

Favorite tracks:

RIP Young

Wat U Sed (feat. Iamdoechii & Kal Banx)

HB2U

Listen to The House Is Burning here:

Thanks for reading! Make sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up on the hottest new music: