A statement that isn’t sugarcoated but rather a warning that something truly powerful this-way-comes. A monstrous freshman project from young wordsmith Julian “Joose” Young, “Cruise Control” was released in the dead of summer 2014. Properly titled, the intro starts off with the jingle of some car keys; we don’t know where Joose is taking us, but we know we’re in for a ride. Throughout the track list, Joose impresses with swift wordplay and harsh realism. Especially in records like “Julian;” a street ballad with striking vocals to match the poignant instrumental, and dreamscape single “Black Sand,” both of which have been given the visual treatment to accompany the release. Even with the outings’ fair share of gritty, urban surrealism; Joose gives us laid-back, summertime anthems with tracks like “California Girls” and “Bonita.” Also displayed are in house artists behind the boards with a few instrumental tracks to sweeten the deal. The extended play ends with two renditions of “Reggie Miller,” a powerhouse closer with AGO beatsmith Sango and DJ Mozaic taking over the reins for production. “I feel like music is a place you can venture inside your brain” Joose says in an interview with ThaFlyNation Posts. And we are shown only the tip of the iceberg when its comes to the young artists potential. Cruise Control may be an early release for Joose but it is the work of a veteran. Someone who has the ability to bring a fresh new look into the world of independent hip hop music. Something tangible and true to turn new ears into fans, and keep dedicated listeners coming back for more.
