Cinoevil – ‘Watch Your Head’ [Album Review]

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New Jersey rapper Cinoevil returns with his new project, Watch Your Head, a 13-track, self-produced album that showcases the rapper’s off-kilter style and concepts. The project is set in a dream-like state where audiences are thrown into the crevices of Cinoevil’s mind to explore the unbeaten path his thoughts traverse. The album title alludes to the main character on the cover with a gas can for a head and flames for hands.

Cinoevil starts with “When I Was 21 (Sandy’s Intro),” which features a drunken Irish sailor singing his heart out about the good old days shortly after followed by “I get It,” a solemn track that explores forgiveness and soul-searching. The production has a reflective feel and sees Cinoevil reflecting on relationships, burning bridges and the pain that comes with moving on. Lines like “I’ve been through too much to entertain the clownery/ They break into your house and talk about some boundaries/Then expect you to not knock out their teeth on the balcony” sees him venting his frustrations and coming to terms with the situation. “Appl3cider” is an off-beat track with reversed vocal samples, moody textures, and crunchy drums that feel like something from a B-movie. here, Cinoevil shares his thoughts on fair-weather friends and his trepidations as an artist walking through the unbeaten path. “Mammoth” is a masterclass in rapping as Cinoevil stands on business, declaring himself a rare breed in the game. Next is “Follow Madness” with a brooding sample chop and an overwhelming solemn aesthetic. Here, Cinoevil employs a laidback melodic flow to convey his inner thoughts on the chorus, and the verses look at internal grief and the coping mechanism that helps him maintain his sanity.

“Home (Dole’s Interlude)” is a dark and experimenatl piece ripe with edgy rock vocals with distortion effects while “Free The Hold” explores some pent-up feelings stemming from loss and survival guilt as he tries to forgive himself for the ordeal. The lyrics here are lucid and give audiences a deep sense of tragedy that surrounds Cinoevil. Also on the track is rapper Captain Kidd, who talks about his problems ranging from financial insecurity and mental health. The beat for “Dodgeball” is particularly striking and stands out for its sense of urgency and of course, Cinoevil’s expressive flow and vivid rhyme schemes that blend personal topics with a dash of bravado.

The project closes out with “85 (Sandy’s Outro)” and the bonus track “If Time Is Money).” The former is a call back to the intro and underscores the dream concept of the project as audiences slowly leave the surreal world, which is Cinoevil’s mind. The bonus track has a retro jazz vibe and captures Cinoevil’s rich stream-of-consciousness style. Other notable tracks include the no-holds-barred “Found a Way” featuring The Man from Somewhere Else, the heartwrenching and off-kilter “Misery” and the disconsolate feelings shown on “I Made This At 3 am On Xmas Eve Off Hlaf a Tab.” These tracks also cover different sides to Cinoevil’s artistry and his knack for straying from the norm.

Overall Watch Your Head, sounds cohesive, experimental and, for the most part, strays from the norm. Cinoevil has surely found a lane with this style and doesn’t try to please the crowd to water down his artistry.