Review Summary: Bronson hits you with that drop kick, Marty Jannetty.
After working with Party Supplies on 2012’s
Blue Chips and, shortly after, Alchemist on
Rare Chandeliers, Action Bronson finally managed to get longtime collaborator Harry Fraud to exclusively produce his first EP,
Saaab Stories. For Bronson, even with the brilliance and blunted wit that made his mixtapes so enjoyable, Fraud’s production matches his delivery in a way that the other producers haven't. This makes
Saaab Stories a much more cohesive release than previous releases.
Somehow Fraud manages to rise above Bronson's colorful charismatic persona becoming the main star on the EP. No two tracks on
Saab Stories sound alike without sounding scatter-brained or overly indulgent. When Harry Fraud is at his best, he’s whipping up hazy dream-like beats that takes the listener to a mystic world covered by swirling layers of mist and everything moves in slow-mo. “
Triple Backflip” is a near perfect incarnation of that world, with a beat that makes you feel as if you’re drifting around in the mist that surrounds you, and Bronson's echoed vocals can be heard in the near distance.
Action doesn't stray far from his usual lyrical armory of food and off-color sexual imagery, but his vocal tint is a bit of a departure from his usually upbeat, feel-good flows. Bronson has allowed Harry Fraud's moody beats to showcase a much darker side of himself than listener may have grown used to. During the second part of "
Alligator" Action gets about as serious as he has ever been. No humor or silly remarks only allusions to the pain and hardships he has. This is quite remarkable for Bronson because even when there is a more serious subject matter at hand he usually has something witty to add to it, lightening the mood but on "
Alligator" there is no nonsense for Action Bronson. Despite the usually serious subject matter,
Saaab Stories isn't entirely dark and serious, tracks like "
Strictly 4 My Jeeps" and "
2 Virgins" are full of brash tongue-in-cheek humor about hookers, "baby dick" and other things Bronson's fans should expect from him.
Saaab Stories proves to the nay-sayers that Action Bronson isn't a one trick pony that raps only about demolishing both, cheesesteaks and asian hookers vagina's. The only thing that holds
Saaab Stories is it's short, but expected, play time. When its all said and done all you want is more from Bronson which is probably exactly how he wants you to feel.
