Newfoundland, Canada-based rapper/songwriter Albert Dalton is a prolific musician with a vast music catalogue. From projects with his group Already Dead, 2 solo mixtapes, 4 EPs , 3 full-length albums and over 100 songs.  One can say he has fulfilled the recommended 10,000 hours criteria and he is not stopping. His latest release St. Thomas Line, is a 12-track project that blends a handful of genres with him tackling topics ranging from loss, pain and self-awareness. The project was produced entirely by his longtime collaborator Cat Cafe and is mixed and mastered by Albert himself.

“Villa Introduction” is the lead track and comprises soft jazzy piano riffs with crunchy drum breaks. The overall solemn and nostalgic aesthetic is peppered by Albert’s gruff flow and off-kilter lyrics like “I wanna blow an advance mostly on the student debts that I have/I’m like Lebron with the Cavs/First time not the second, that would be overzealous” but overall, it’s a vivid performance that helps audiences understand Albert’s thought processes. This is followed by the edgy “Internet” featuring Reggie Morales and G_Sm00th. The track’s sparse piano arrangement and thick bassline play second fiddle to the rapper’s untethered and bravado bars that aim directly at the opposition with much vitriol and venom. “ever Since” exudes similar dark vibes to the previous track but here, Albert delivers a blend of off-kilter rhymes with a touch of irreverence and disdain for the norm.

“Dusty Rhodes” is introduced by a classic sample that trails slowly with its dark strings and soulful vocal hums devoid of drums. Inspired by the wrestler of the same name, Albert and New Villain share their experiences of enduring hard times and finding the fortitude to keep going regardless of the obstacles ahead of them. On “Hoops”, Albert teams up with Papo2oo4 for a reflective and heartfelt tune that details their never-ending struggles and aspirations. The duo delivers playful raps tinged with subtle melodies and gives audiences a refreshing take on the subject of chasing one’s dreams. Next is “Medicine” featuring Cate Café and Augustus Lost who all add their distinct styles to the mix. Trading bars on the chorus and adding their thoughts on pain, their favourite strain to smoke and a host of other thoughts. This is followed by the “Ignoramus Interlude” which flips a reggae sample and shows Albert in his element as he delivers another solid rap performance with a stream-of-consciousness style.

The last section of the project goes into a different vibe with experimental and cinematic textures on “600LB Get-Down” featuring Fatboi Sharif and “Hazmat”. Both tracks employ off-beat sounds but Albert sticks to his trusted formula with aggressive flows, off-kilter and vivid rap schemes and energetic hooks. The final track “U.B.I” ends on a heartfelt note with its soulful soundscape which sets the tone for Albert’s introspective lyrics like “homeless & the poverty line, all told to cry alone, euthanasia only answer that they can afford, but they out here buying ford & I ain’t talking focus, but if I focus i’ll take yours, just off my rhyming opus/If I had a voice, I kill a riot but they all indulging”.  He talks about social-political issues, personal loss and the widening generational gap between the young ones and the old. Other tracks include the mellow choppy grooves and rapid flows on “Kansas”, and the retro 60s soul vibe on “Ample Time” featuring Lungs/LoneSword.

Overall St. Thomas Line, feels like a snapshot of Albert Dalton’s life experiences but doesn’t go deep. For the most part, the songs are a mix of bravado, braggadocio raps with a touch of insight. Just enough insight to let us know what makes Albert tick.

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