The Mustard Seed Project

Album review

Tayo OdutolaAug 19, 2026 · 3 min read

Chicago-based indie record label Reagle Beagle Records presents The Mustard Seed Project – The Mustard Seed Project. The 12-track body of work is a conceptual, story-driven project that focuses on the life of an average blue-collar hustler who goes through life-changing decisions and eventual growth while dealing with the trappings of the hood. The project plays out like a movie with a linear timeline, with unfolding events alongside different characters who interact with each other in a dark noir setting.

“A Mustard Seed By Kevin Coval” leaves open the entrance to the Windy City, where colourful characters and life-changing events meet. The backdrop is a solemn jazz accompaniment with soulful horns and subtle percussion underpinned by Kevin Coval‘s commanding vocals and enthralling storytelling. Lines like “40s and O.Zs, This is like Oz ’cause everybody know the man behind the curtain/and everybody know somebody who seen curtains too soon/Locked up or locked down under/No boomerang, no second chance” take us deep into the city and leave us at ground zero. “Blancas” continues the journey with another compelling tale over a piano-driven jazzy backdrop with punchy drums. The emcee doesn’t waste a line as he details each moment with lucidity and impassioned fervour.

“Strawberry Sundaes” is a heartfelt love-driven piece about blossoming love and how two like minds meet on a random day. The lyrics are vivid and detailed, while the progression in the story keeps listeners locked in from start to finish. “The Authentic” is a collaborative track with Rufus Sims and is the standard braggadocio cut that highlights lyricism. The icing on the cake is the emcee reflecting on his authenticity and willingness to stay true to his roots. “Groundhog Day” starts with a soulful texture and plucky bassline, which is punctuated by a crunchy drum break. Here, the emcee leads us into the dark crevices of his stomping grounds. His graphic storytelling serves as boots on the ground with lines like

“I, us, Me, I must be bantering to the weak but the meek hear the pain in my voice/writer’s block causin’ strain in my joints man/I speak for the people, the blue collar working class/That you see on the block in a Buick Reagle.”

The storytelling continues on tracks like “Dolly,” where we meet the tragic titular character and her history with the emcee, and “Strawberry Sundays,” an entertaining tale about deceit, anger and emotional drama, which is also a sequel to “Strawberry Sundaes.” The final track, “Logan’s Lament,” features Stephstaa and dives into how life can change in an instant. Other notable tracks include the solemn “Natalie Wood,” which dives into heartbreak and betrayal. The raw lyricism on “Asi Es” and the soulful “Bitter Suite” featuring Roper Fuentes & 3rdCity. The instrumental “Intermixxion” serves as a short musical break, and it’s quite entertaining.

The album will be released on 10/2 via reaglebeaglerecords.com and shugarecords.com. Each store has its own variant, limited to 100 copies (100 for Reagle Beagle, 100 for Shuga)

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