40Love is a hip-hop group that is not, or at least not rapping about, ‘thizzin’.’ No need to re-read that sentence: it’s very true. Being from ‘The Bay’ in hip-hop usually paints a very specific picture but evidently, this group is fighting to bust through such pre-conceived notions. So do they succeed? Absolutely. Throughout BANGERANG!, the thing that is likely to grab listeners first is the production. Forgetting about where this hip-hop foursome is on the map, the beats are incredibly diverse and creative. Everything from dance to soul and reggae slip through the usually synth/drum-heavy cracks: impressive in its own right. Also, unlike many hip-hop albums, all of the numerous guest appearances improve the song and really help to flesh it out. To name a few, The Jacka of the Mob Figaz tears it up on ‘Heads Up’ while Keelay and Zaire lend their production talent to ‘Throw All Your Rocks.’ Oh, and perhaps the best kept secret of the group: Haze. Quite simply, she displays a mastery of her own style and gives plenty of fellow ‘emcees’ a serious run for their money. While very creative though, it seems like such qualities get the best of the group on BANGERANG! at times. There are numerous occasions where a song’s beat will flip completely during the track. While not a bad idea, it is always sudden and unexpected: making it hard to decipher what is going on. Yes, Mikos and The Whooligan do their thing on the production end of things, but sometimes, the vocalists (Haze, G-OFF and Mikos as well) are very guilty of rap no-no’s: whether it be awkwardly delivering certain punch lines or rushing to cram too many words into bars. No matter, 40Love is the perfect group for fans who like their hip-hop a little different and perhaps a bit more airy. Those with more traditional palettes will still find enjoyment, but may also become distracted by a lack of the elements they are so accustomed to.

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