“INTRO” is an instrumental introduction that leads listeners into Jungle’s world. The cinematic samples and moody soundscape encapsulate the rapper’s life experiences, which are further explored on the next track, “AMAZEMENT.”  The track’s production is brilliant and has a cinematic vibe laced with urgency. Here, Joel Jungle drops listeners right in the middle of the action with his off-kilter rhyme schemes and vivid storytelling. Lines like “I avalanche beats with an ice sheet that can kill sled/So tuck & roll, I’m stuck in the cold til my pockets filled with bread/I have been writing this since a teen/I moved to Camden at 16” underpin his tumultuous journey to becoming who he is. “IZZYANA JONES” raises the bar with yet another set of engaging writings that break down the inner workings of the concrete jungle where humans are forced to do what they must to survive, and any wrong move can be fatal, on the flip side “REALITY CHEQUE” explores friendship, business, and how the lines are blurred. Both tracks have similar themes, but different perspectives.

“PARA MI” is a reflective piece that explores human emotions and the wants and needs that come with it. Bolstered by a soulful and somewhat atmospheric backdrop, Joel Jungle drops more than a handful of gems for listeners to grow on. Lines like “We don’t wanna lift, we feel lazy/we want a future like the Jetsons without working for Mr. Spacely/It’s a travesty” point at the instant gratification that has become the norm, but Joel stays on his business as he spits “Sprinkle the yeast on the dough, I got the biscuit rising/Numbers fly off the boards, scientists confuse the 6’s and 5s/But I wanna wash my face but the water’s whipped up from wicked times.” Another anthemic track, “SURVIVING TIME,” lives up to its name as Joel Jungle delivers a gripping tale of the never-ending grind in a city that never sleeps. The project closes out with “BASSES LOADED” and the solemn “SOLITUDE.” These tracks continue Joel Jungle’s lyrical excellence as he displays a knack for engaging and complex songwriting. On one end, he is boastful, and on the other, he stays thoughtful and self-aware of his predicament and engages with the audience on an emotional level.

Other notable tracks include the anthemic “SUPPOSED TO WIN” and the 90s R&B/hiphop infused “GOT ME DRIFTIN’ “ which flips the prevalent bassline from Maxwell’s classic single. The laidback “SCARS BECAME STYLISH” is a touching take on self-awareness and growth, while “AFTER 12 AM (TIMELESS)” is a showcase of complex internal rhymes powered by engaging storytelling that takes listeners through different parts of the Big Apple.

Overall, SURVIVING TIME is far from being another lyrical miracle body of work but rather a collection, or I dare say, snapshots of the rapper’s life. The stories are told from his viewpoint, and they are raw, gritty and honest.