Cul Dé Sac – Stems EP

Cul Dé Sac are the newest collective on the block and and their EP Stems (released on March 14th) consists of an inspiring handful of diverse tracks that certainly make a mark. Avaliable to purchase on Itunes here (and streamable on Spotify), the young quartet of Bxrry Blvcc, Kid Katharsis, Layfullstop and Truce epitomise the bubbling creativity of the North Wests’ premier city.

Blasting off with the hip-hop anthem (and sole joint effort of the EP) Know we now, Cul Dé Sac’s distinctive array of talent is on show from the start. Reflecting a generation confronting increasingly limitied opportunities, the track comes like a dramatic statement of the groups intent to take over the city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0WaZbGUQUE

It is the following songs however that truly showcase the distinctive talents of the four MC’s. First, Bxrry Blvcc (pronounced Berry Black) gives the listener an introspective snapshot of growing up in Manchester to a minimalist, soulful beat. With Sarah Patterson’s haunting chorus drifting in between the rappers smooth Northern flow, Keep It Moving takes you on a powerful lyrical journey. Kid Katharsis then switches everything up with his striking tune Zero. Accompanied only by Truce on the Djembe drum and his own acoustic guitar; the songwriters unusual and commanding vocals cannot help but immediately seize and retain your attention.

Next soulstress Layfullstop takes the mic for her track Aura with the singer exhibiting the full range of her vocal abilities. Effortlessly switching pitch and drifting from rapping to singing with dreamlike ease, the track builds on her increasingly stellar collection. Finally, Truce ends Stems with the expressive, trap infused Skyhigh. An optimistic examination of the present and a look to the future (with a wavy beat and chorus), Truce’s track provides the perfect close to the EP.

Taken as a whole, Stems could really represent something new in the Manchester scene. More than ‘turn up’ music or vibzy hip-hop tracks, Cul Dé Sac are an intense yet captivating listen. A supreme blend of genres and styles yet firmly grounded to the city that spawned them, the four 20 something’s strong lyricism and individually unique sounds ensure they are certainly a collective to watch out for in the future.