Compton-raised artist thisisjaysol caught our ears with his new project WELCOME HOME, a 12-track project that takes listeners deep into the rising artist’s life. The project explores personal topics from loss, grief, the hustler mentality and resilience in the face of adversity while using his stomping grounds as a character throughout the project.

WELCOME HOME starts with “Palmer Pawn to E4,” a celebratory tune that sets the tone and lays the welcoming mat for ThisIsJaysol to state his thoughts. Over a soulful and bouncy backdrop brimming with lush textures and smooth vocal chops, ThisIsJaysol flows effortleslsy over the bckdrop with lines like “clear skies, the storm is gone, it’s new weather/Self drive while sitting on top of new leather/If I fall I’m floating off like loose feathers” before sending reminders to the naysayers that he is back in town. The following track, “Real Question,” is a reflective tune that questions the current state of the hip-hop game and how mediocrity has flooded the market. The production here has a mellow vibe with cinematic aesthetics that blend perfectly with the rapper’s laidback flow and candid lyrics. The vibe changes a bit on “Cook,” which uses a dark, moody trap beat to good effect. Here, ThisIsJaysol stands on business as he playfully uses the word cook as a hook in the rhymes. As the title suggests, it’s a proclamation for everyone to sit back and watch him do his thing. This then leads into “Catch Nobody” and sees ThisIsJaysol teaming with Cap Angels and the result is a showcase of bravado from the emcees as they take the opposition to the cleaners.

The project continues wth another collaborative track “Every Spark” featuring NYKOTA. The track is a downtempo trap-soul tune that showcases ThisIsJaysol’s versatility as an artist who is willing to switch up his style. The title track is not a track per se, and it’s devoid of lyrics but uses different vocal snippets of the rapper as he settles into his new home over a scenic and somewhat soulful soundscape. He brings back Cap Angels on the retro R&B-infused “Tofu and Kimchi,” which explores the concept of inner peace while munching on his comfort foods. The rappers once again deliver the goods with smooth lyricism draped in food references and the meaning of true success beyond the monetary aspect. On “No Gutta”  ThisIsJaysol brings out the big guns, verbally speaking as he flexes on the opposition over a hard-hitting trap soundscape. The final track, “Checkered Floors,” has a soulful vocal sample chopped into a warm and punchy backdrop for ThisIsJaysol’s aspirational lyrics. Here, he details his moves as he takes life one day at a time but with a clear purpose. Other notable tracks feature the hard-hitting winner anthem “Trouble Us”, the VELKA-assistance love track “Blue Chanel” and the melodic-laden “Grip.”

Overall WELCOME HOME is an interesting project that gives new listeners a glimpse into who the rapper known as ThisIsJaysol is.