Illy

A story worth telling does not unfold by itself , and so with open mind and gifted pen,

Illy’s ‘Long Story Short’ is ready to hit the masses and promises to maintain the benchmark standard set by his ne w label home, Obese Records.

Long Story Short is a tale about falling in and out of love with people, places, family, friendship, hip-hop, and travelling the world, a serious hospital scare and the ensuing long road to recovery. All shaped by the unique privilege of growing up Australian. Long Story Short opens with “Generation Y,” a politically driven ode to the power of those whose days as the underdog are numbered.

An anthemic opening number powered by M-Phazes’ production work. And these are not plain beats coupled with lyrics complex for their own sake, but rather some of the best produced hip-hop beats in the country, with lyrics that, even when simple in delivery, maintain a complexity of message.

From the rolling drums and synthesizer-driven pop lean of “Pictures” to the booming bass and razor guitars of “Rock Star Shit,” there is a rare depth and diversity to the textures of the album. There’s the summer inspired sing-a-along “Full Tank”, an open road tribute to the free spirit of mateship and travelling, and there’s the solemn turn in the album’s last-minute addition of “Our Country” (a salute to the Australian spirit written days after Black Saturday).

Illy enlists the help of fellow Crooked Eye crew member MPhazes (producer of Bliss n Eso’s Flying Colours) and Jackson Jackson’s J-Skub (Phrase’s Clockwork) for the bulk of the album, with stellar contributions from up and comers J-Squared and Ta-Ku. The friendship extends to the album’s guest performers, boasting collaborations with Pegz (“Black Cap Rap”), Spit Syndicate and Solo (“Red Light/Green Light”) and Phrase and N’Fa (“For You”).

It is a compelling collection that embodies the spirit and scope of Australian hip hop, the opening chapter of a promising fable.