Brooklyn-born rapper/songwriter/singer Zel Monstrous follows up his last album, Well That Was Interesting, with another full-length titled Until We Meet Again. The album is a 7-track body of work that explores themes such as imperfections, the guilt that comes with wrongdoing, and the steps taken to achieve full accountability and peace with the outcome. Another theme explored includes finding his humanity and reconnecting with love. Zel Monstrous doesn’t shy away from displaying his vulnerability, and from the get-go, he gives audiences the very reason why. The opening song, “BROKEN,” sees the rapper reflecting on his past actions with regret as he raps Never thought there be a day I shed so many tears/I could have stayed stagnant in my old ways” over a solemn vocal-sample driven backdrop. He proceeds to look deep into the mirror while taking stock of the past with a positive outlook on the future. The track also benefits from a soothing melodic performance by singer Wendi Mancaku, whose background vocals add an extra emotional oomph to the track. The next track “ZELIRAE” is an open letter to Zel’s unborn child, with him explaining the dynamics between her and the mother and of course, how her birth changed his life for the better. The production continues on the soulful vibe while Zel’s songwriting perspective and storytelling skills shine to the fullest. “EAST 44TH INTERLUDE” uses different audio clips of Zel Monstrous songs and sets the tone for the next track, “COLD HANDS.”  The track is a solemn piece that displays raw vulnerability, with Zel expressing a full range of emotions. From regret, acceptance through self-assessment to actionable steps, he pours his all on wax with lines like All my life, I struggle with emotions so you know its real/Telling me you moving on,it’s gonna take some time to heal/Took some time for me to realize what I had done huh/Feeling so defeated all I wanna do is run huh.

As a project that focuses on love, relationships and emotional rollercoaster, it’s so easy to rehash the same thing without knowing. However, Zel Monstrous approach demonstrates his versatility and songwriting proficiency as he gives us different facets of what he is going through. On the punchy “EVERYTHING” featuring Sean Elliot, he reminds us that dark clouds and sad times should not let us lose our focus as we move towards our goals. The last two tracks, “BATLES” and “UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,” help bring the project full circle. The former is a smooth, soulful track that explores human resilience and faith in an unforgiving world. From fighting seen and unseen battles, Zel Monstrous shows that with the right mindset and spirit, hope is never lost. The latter is a sad and moody track that sees Zel penning a letter to his future wife. Backed by a soft guitar-driven backdrop with soulful tones, he details a scenario of meeting the love of his life and the experiences that lead to a successful relationship and possibly marriage. Vocally, we must acknowledge Zel’s knack for melodies; he doesn’t try to oversing or execute unattainable runs, but rather, he does just enough to accomplish the task.

 

Overall, Until We Meet Again is a blissful piece that brings together candid, heartfelt songwriting with soulful beats and a universal theme that everyone can relate to.

 

 

 

Keep up with  Zel Monstrous | SoundCloudSpotifyInstagram

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