There’s a fine line between quirky and weird for the sake of weird. Ron Contour, the artist better known as Moka Only, has some of the strangest lyrics in modern hip-hop. Those familiar with his eccentric solo work and collaborations with Swollen Members will not be remotely surprised at the content found within Saffron. The casual listener, however, is left wondering what’s up with all the food references. Some of his culinary mentions are witty metaphors. Other times he just wants you to know how much he digs Papa John’s.

The overall vibe of Saffron is rife with the playful exuberance of early De La Soul. If you’re looking for something more philosophical, this isn’t for you. Ron Contour makes summertime BBQ music (e.g. “Glad“) with an occasional side dish of melancholy. Bizarre flows about the “type of shit to make a girl fuck a wookie bear” and a “peanut butter cookie monster” keep things interesting for those who can appreciate his absurdism and save the record from mundane food rapdom.

For a prolific artist with 40-plus albums under his belt, it’s not surprising that quality control is an issue for the Canadian emcee. There are plenty of forgettable, through-away lines on Saffron and the record’s brevity is hard to ignore. Most songs end before they truly have a chance to make an impression. The album-closing “Shoe Box” is the only track exceeding three minutes and the entire outing doesn’t even reach the 30 minute mark. This record was either rushed or designed to suit the modern listener’s attention span.

Saffron’s saving grace is unquestionably the beats. The album features some of the most refreshing, melodic production this side of Atmosphere’s Ant. Factor’s lush soundscapes and soulful samples allow Ron to casually glide through 12 tracks with his raps serving as an instrument in the Saskatoon-based beatsmith’s grand symphony. “Confused Nougat” and “Wondrous” showcase Factor’s penchant for manufacturing catchy, uptempo jams. The beats are so solid you’ll almost forget you’re listening to a dude rap about Cadbury chocolate and cheese toast. Almost.

Song you’ll remember in five years: “Glad”

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