Review Summary: Soothsayer, can you change this?
Zack Hemsey, as far as I can tell, is one of the most unique rappers in the business these days. He is primarily a score composer most notable for his work in film and movie trailers, and was memorably confused with Hans Zimmer for his piece in the Inception trailer. Nomad marks his latest foray into rap music, but it’s not just the sweeping orchestral arrangements and live instrumentation that set Zack apart from the rest, it’s also the remarkable absence of ego-fuelled posturing that plagues a vast portion of hip-hop releases. What he provides here are epic, moving vistas and layered crescendos of sound paired with abstract and haunting poetry.
1) Lesson From A Nomad
A banger of a start. Slick beats and keyboards drive this track, so washed out they sound like they’re underwater while Zack drops some bars. I almost get a Linkin Park vibe from this track. 8/10
I am legend I am fool
I am one of many I am under no rule
I am peasant I am loom
I'm disparaged I'm consumed
and most certainly confused
2) The Runner
Very urgent violins and orchestral beats drive this track and it is epic to behold. Zack rhymes about the titular Nomad. 8.5/10
Brick by brick
Stone by stone
Block by block
Home by home
Bridge by bridge
Zone by zone
Piece by piece
Forged his own path
Years come and gone
Sites come upon
Miles drifted on
Wounds licked and gnawed
3) Lost And Found
One of the centre-pieces of the album, this track is absolutely stunning. The Reznor-esque synths and keyboards create a haunting soundscape as Zack trades bars with Heather Hemsey who provides her gorgeous vocals to this masterpiece. 10/10
I used to hear them say of bad news, when it rains then it pours
Fitting for a generation yearning out for more
A story of the ancients etched in relics from before
Faded echoes that survive this vicious cycle that we mourn
No telling how much pain a people can ignore
How much heartache can communities endure?
How much of the problem is systemic and ensured?
How much profit over people can executives procure?
Tension on my conscience, feel it wrenching at the core
The walls are closing in, I need an exit to explore
When precious opportunity comes knocking at the door
Will you dive into the waters or keep standing at the shore?
4) Into The Valley
The main distorted synth-line in this is straight Nine Inch Nails and very groovy. The clean-sung chorus is huge and Zack’s rhymes are on point as usual. 7.5/10
They found the treasure but their pockets are full of toys
And they're victors of status but of true spoils they can’t enjoy
Although no man’s an island within many of them exists a void
And they will forever forfeit passage across the bridge that they’ve destroyed
5) In Search Of Tomorrow
This is an 8-minute instrumental out of an extended Lord Of The Rings Trailer or something. It’s so damn epic it just evokes imagery of an eagle soaring high over mountains while armies crest the rolling green hills and you’re near-blinded by JJ-style lens flare. I think this piece hurts the flow of the album to some degree and I do find it over-indulgent, but *** me if it isn’t so over-the-top huge that it kind of wins me over.
7/10
6) Soothsayer
Holy *** this song is ***ing amazing. Continuing where Lost And Found left off, the interplay between Zack and the female vocals in the chorus are stunning. Also this probably has the most sophisticated and layered instrumentation on the record. The layers of sound just cascade and wash over you on this one so much that you almost forget this is a hip-hop record. Equal parts rap, pop, and cinematic film-score, this track brings pure chills. 10/10
A crowd was in form, believers in prayer
Shouts of “die witch” amidst the fanfare
At mere 14, her look was of despair
This gift seemed more of a curse that she bears
And she spoke of how there is much that’s unknown
That she sees but part of a future unfold
She speaks of only the things that she’s shown
With what becomes of it she’s not in control
But one by one they told her of their plight
They begged her to give of her knowledge and insight
With poise she imparted her visions of foresight
But more fickle is the finger of fate than she’d like
7) Road Of Riches
Wow, if the last track wasn’t incredible enough, this is one of the best tracks on the record. It’s tough to articulate fully what makes this one so special. I guess because like many rap songs, the lyrics deal will with chasing wealth, but the orchestral instrumental is so poignant and mournful, Zack’s rhymes so chill and unobfuscated by ego, pride, or sense of entitlement that it’s actually hard to categorize it. It ends up occupying a weird in-between place of mourning capitalism yet sonically revelling in it, creating a potent dissonance in the listener. 10/10
Many fall to ruin succeeding in their objectives
Realized opportunities flourish among the wreckage
When goals are selected, but methods are ignored
When misaligned incentives undermine a greater cause
When shadows of perspective cloak the end you’re working towards
Like movements of the heavens that the senses don’t regard
These moments pass ‘em by, their own precession of the stars
So put to work all the lessons that you can draw
To reach out for the moon let it capture you from afar
As seams of perfection are sewn with the silk of flaws
The riches that you seek are existent right where you are
8) Beyond The Throne
A slow, dark, pulsing track with a massive chorus. Not one of the best, but definitely gets you pumped up. 7/10
The seat of true power holds, beyond the throne
The seed that in man corrodes, beyond the throne
The crown of supreme control, beyond the throne
Commands and consumes you whole, beyond the throne
9 The Pursuit Of Knowledge
One of the four best tracks on the album. This is phenomenal, not only does it contain the best lyrics on the album, the melancholy instrumental laden with violins and breathy synths creates a powerful depth of space that resonates long after the track is over. 10/10
A silence hung for a moment’s thought
As echoes from the room decayed and tapered off
And there we sat reflecting, was it all for naught?
Until I spoke in earnest with this brief remark
I said that “while it’s evident your knowledge is rivaled by much shrewdness
I’ve never met a man with such wisdom who’s so foolish”
Then he grinned and he chuckled and asked if I
Would speak on what I’d seen through my travels, so I replied:
“I’ve seen the treasure that waits for a man to find
I’ve seen the consequence when the sun and the moon combine
I’ve seen the peaks of mountains that reach out and touch the sky
The struggle to survive and the desert where dreams have died
I’ve seen the best and the worst that we try to hide
The salt of the earth and the evil of humankind
I’ve seen the wrecked and ravaged and scavengers rummage through debris
And those that searched in hope, finding meaning where none once used to be
And some that stormed the beaches
Some that pledged allegiance
Some that scorched the earth for motives that they don’t agree with
Seen some get lost among the current of their grievance
While the tide of death and birth left some speechless
I’ve seen love bring some to their knees
And some lift hearts when they smile for no reason
I’ve seen fairytale endings to believe in
And now I see a man who’d see the same if he’d but seize it
10) No Man’s Land
This is a sequel to the epic instrumental from earlier, except this time Zack shows up halfway through to leave some parting words. A fitting end. 8/10
So if you stand for something, stand for something more than simply standing by
This that gem to find
This that certain kind
This the truth that hides
This is that great divide
Break out from that tomb
That empty room I’ve been inside
No method, no plans
No direction to advance
Just step across that line that’s in the sand
This is the land of no man
This is one of the best rap albums I’ve ever listened to and huge thanks to the random guy who recommended it to me. It could not have been more up my alley.
