01. iLive feat. Ashleigh Nickole
02. Future feat. Int'l Show
03. Jesus High feat. Odetta
04. App For That feat. Trini
05. Fear Factor Remix feat. Mr Coldstone
If you've heard much of Applejaxx's music in the past you know that he likes to focus on futuristic/technological themes in his music. This EP is another example of this as you have probably already noticed from the track titles above.
It all starts with a bang with iLive straight away, G-Styles on the beat, and right away Applejaxx kicks in with his uniquely styled lyricism. This is one of those straight up celebratory, "happy-to-be-alive" party tracks. Ashleigh Nickole chimes in on the chorus perfectly complementing the carefree celebration of life in Christ. Future, a thumper with a unique mix of tribal drums and futuristic samples, illustrates living with the knowledge that Christ has won the victory and the anticipation of his second coming.
The title track and single, Jesus High, is where this EP really starts to stand out. The single has been gaining popularity on place like iTunes and is one of Applejaxx's most popular hits. And it's not hard to see why after a listen. Produced by G-Styles, the track has undergone a bit of a revamp since it was released as a free download early last year. The major difference fans will notice is the prominence of vocal artist Odetta in the chorus. Her addition freshens up the track and give it a smoother sound. The meat of it all is Applejaxx's fantastic lyrics which overflow with quirky metaphor and references. It's really a worship song in rap form that focuses simply on uplifting Jesus.
App For That is that typical Applejaxx song. Futuristic feel, laced with synths and technologically themed. This time round Applejaxx, who self-produced, takes advantage of the modern app culture, made famous by Apple, where an app is ready to download for any and every imaginable thing you can think of. Words like "app" and "download" are used as metaphors for receiving the word of God and fruits of the Spirit. Sometimes these types of song can be overdone and cheesy (an example would be half of KJ-52's latest work), but here it just works. It's handled lightly and fits into the overall theme of the EP.
Fear Factor is a classic hip-hop centred swag track. It focuses on battle rap style punch lines and has a nice feature by Mr Coldstone. If you've ever doubted Applejaxx's lyrical ability, this is the song to check out. It serves as a warning to wack rappers and haters and is a strong way to end the EP.
The Jesus High EP is a burst of energy only Applejaxx can provide. His style is like nothing else in the industry today and that's what makes him special. Any time you hear his songs you notice something different about them. Something catches your ear. Whether its the unique production or the eccentric metaphor choices in his lyrics. It's a breath of fresh air and one that should be experienced by fans of hip hop tired of the same old same old.
The Jesus High EP is a prequel to Applejaxx's upcoming sophomore album entitled "The Outsider", due Spring 2011.
