JusKolMeAl – ‘The Next Day’ [Album Review]

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The Next Day is a 15 track album from Roosevelt,NY-based rapper JusKolMeAl . A rapper whose work has been featured on our site numerous times with his last full length project being the 2024 released Other People’s Money. On his latest release, JusKolMeAl stays on course with his style of storytelling underpinned by raw, unfiltered lyrics and street edgy demeanour. From taking losses, celebrating wins, appreciating growth and sharing his experience, listeners are taken from the highs and lows and the in-betweens.

The project opens up with “Facts of Life” which employs a classic Jazz/soul sample as the backdrop for JusKolMeAl’s graphic imagery of life in the hood. From the unpredictability of the cards life plays to the colourful characters that traverses his world, the rapper details his knowledge with bars like “Cats used to run up in stores with the chrome/same cats grown, jotting down in metaphors and they poems/To the point they stare in the mirror, cats staring back doesn’t even know ’em/I can tell ’em much better than I can show ’em.” The following tracks “Welcome 2 LI,” “Death Become Us” are dark tales that lead listeners further into JusKolMeAl’s stomping grounds. The track “Re Up” is a conceptual track about the grind using the drug game as an analogy to working your way out of the mud but with every win comes the nataural consequences. The previously released single “ManKave” fits in nicely with it’s overall moody atmosphere and of course anothe rbout of heavy lyricism as follows, “In my standing position with a calm head, trying to move me?/ its like a man who no hands getting his palm read/Like a schizo on the wrong meds when the songs read to the right beat, turn light beef to white meat”

The project sound sticks to familiar terrain and employs a mix of hard-hitting boom-bap sounds with a touch of modern bouncy beats (“Get It,” “Forget Last Night”) with more of the former. For the most part, the boombap beats are edgy and cinematic but paired with JusKolMeAl’s incisive lyricism and storytelling, we get that classic NY underground sound that captures the esence of 90s Eastcoast rap. On the other hand, the bouncy beats have a more polished texture and while the lyrics and flow are still sharp, it can be a bit jarring at times but nevertheless it only shows JusKolMeAl willingness to try new sounds and push his writing proficiency. The subject matter throughout the project is not necessarily limited but is varied enough to show listeners different sides to his persona. The man can be extremely serious but also knows how to unpack his fears and have a good time. He talks about his lived experiences, his failings, his wins and how he has grown with every challenge put in his way but he also tries not to get lost in his own hubris. Some dope and stand out tracks include the gripping “Welcome 2 LI,” the sombre “FucDat,” the love-laden “Grimey Love.” don’t get me wrong, there are many tracks that hit the bullseye. The tail end of the project dives into reflective topics from immortality, seizing the day and making the best out of one’s situations before its too late. Tracks like “Shine” and “Now or Never” are a testament to JusKolMeAl insightful and thoughtful pengame.

Overall, The Next Day has more pluses than minuses and works well for it’s thematic approach and songwriting and soundscape. JusKolMeAl can rap his behind off and is cut from the classic school of rap. He pays homage to his predecessors and holds up his end on every track with his well-crafted lyrics and songwriting. The lyrics are sharp, the beats for the most part are well put together but many a few missteps (for me anyway) but at the end of the day, this requires multiple spins to fully immerse oneself into JusKolMeAl’s world.