This is the 6th full-length studio LP from Flint, Michigan emcee/producer Jon Connor. Someone who’s steadily been holding it down for the last 2 decades including The Calling, Vinnie Chase & S.O.S. trilogies along with the Best in the World series paying homage to some of Jon’s influences, Salvation, While You Were Sleeping & Unconscious State. He was even signed to Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records for 6 years before departing after Vehicle City wound up being shelved & is coming off III by giving Food for the Soul.
“We’re Gonna Be Okay” starts with a soulful trap opener providing optimism for everyone feeling uncertain ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration a few weeks from now whereas “413” takes it to the basement thanks to DJ Silk talking about refusing to stop until he gets exactly what he came for. “I’m Tryin’” victoriously expands on the themes of the previous joint making it an effort & after the “Nikell for the Soul” interlude, “Everyday” featuring Daylyt finds them both over kicks & snares shouting out their people.
Jag links up with Jon on “Evolution of Amazing” bringing a trap flare back to the table as they talk about their greatness gradually evolving the way it is just before “Red Velvet” featuring Stalley links the pair together on top of this calming beat talking about leading the fakes where they at without even speaking. “Take Flight” celebrates the jealousy & hate that motivated him to step his game up leading into the jazzy “New Day” talks seeing how far we can go taking it day by day.
After the titular interlude, “The Vibes” featuring Dizzy Wright heads for a groovier boom bap direction tackling the familiar theme of love going further staying with their respective partners while “They Wonder” featuring Locksmith talks about going through everything. “Over & Over” maintains the raw beats reminding that there ain’t nothing new under the sun, but then “Double Murda” featuring Termanology shows a hardcore side to them getting ready for war referencing WWE Hall of Famer, former 6-time world champion & Intercontinental Champion Randy Savage.
“So Much Pressure” calls for everyone to help each other since we’re all heading rough in addition to being stuck in our ways the older that we get & after the “Nights” interlude, “The Great Design (Key Elements of Love)” talks about people taking in the time to recognize the other side of God’s greatest design of them all. “Something Dope About You” soulfully tells his romantic interest that he wants to make her smile & “Heaven on Earth” featuring MRK SX calmly talks making their own paradise.
The track “Blind Eye View” pushes further towards the final leg of Food for the Soul dabbling with trap again refusing to go backwards revealing that he doesn’t know the exact reason why that he sees the world the way that he does & the outro ties it all up in the form of this jazz rap closer advising listeners to stay in control along with acting now in regards of wanting to chase one’s dreams believing half of what you’ve seen & question half of what you’ve been told in life.
Rather than refusing to try to being anything more than what it is still rewarding listeners with something that wasn’t too hard to digest like he did on III last year, he takes everyone back musically & helps you to push forward by laying out the thought-provoking lyrics Jon Connor is known backed by a batch of infectious instrumentals & a powerful message that nourishes the soul. If he still plans on putting out 24 produced by Beats by the Pound member KLC as announced 3 years ago, I’m certain it’ll be the most essential material of his career.
Score: 7/10
