Picking up exactly where the Hilltop Hoods left off with ‘Drinking from the Sun’, comes their seventh studio album, ‘Walking Under Stars’. From the very first voiceover of the album, the listener sees what Pressure, Suffa, and DJ Debris had been planning since before they started recording ‘Drinking from the Sun’.
They were recording enough music for 2 albums, that was premeditated. They weren’t just like ‘lets make a record and we’ll pick the best 10 or 12 songs’, it was from day one ‘we’re making 2 albums’
Hilltop wanted to create a story that couldn’t be told over just a single album, it was too complex and to detailed for just one album. With each standard album comprising 13 songs, and with the Deluxe Version of ‘Drinking from the Sun’ boasting another 4 tracks, all remixes of tracks on the album, Hilltop Hoods have created something can’t be seen as 2 totally different albums, but as one, two-part album.
In traditional Hilltop Hoods fashion, ‘Walking Under Stars’ displays Hilltops range of skills. Each track has a focus, a theme and a musical style. In each of the interludes, listeners are provided the chance to appreciate the scratching ability of Hilltops resident DJ, Debris. Like any good film, the album elicits varying emotions. On one hand the title track creates an uplifting chorus and accompanying beat. On the other is ‘Live And Let Go’ which uses the combination of a piano and bass heavy beat, with Maverick Sabre’s soulful voice, to create a song that completely changes the mood of the album. Hilltop Hoods create albums that successfully draw the listener into the story, and it takes the listener on a journey with each individual track on the album.
After 6 successful studio albums, the Adelaide-trio have learnt what is involved in creating such a gorgeous work of art. The voices of Pressure and Suffa are immediately recognisable on any track they are present on. Alongside their music, a Hilltop song can be recognised within the first 30 seconds of listening, whether its the fantastic musical choices or each MC’s voice, Hilltop have created a “sound”, a sound that only they can replicate, that’s what stands Hilltop above anyone else in the industry. This album seems to culminate every they have learnt into something that is near perfect. From the leading single ‘Won’t Let You Down’ with its downplayed chorus to promotional singles ‘Art of the Handshake’ with its minimal music choice, Hilltop have created something that can be played over and over again, without losing anything that it gave during the first play. A feature of Hilltop is that it grows and grows the more it is played, a perfect example of this is Hilltop’s breakthrough track ‘The Nosebleed Section’, in 2003, this track placed ninth on the Triple J Hottest 100 of that year, yet, 10 years later, and after another 900 songs had placed in their respective Hottest 100’s, the very same track by Hilltop Hoods placed 4th in the Hottest 100 of the past 20 years. If anyone thinks this is coincidence, its not!
After 6 successful studio albums, the Adelaide-trio have learnt what is involved in creating such a gorgeous work of art. The voices of Pressure and Suffa are immediately recognisable on any track they are present on. Alongside their music, a Hilltop song can be recognised within the first 30 seconds of listening, whether its the fantastic musical choices or each MC’s voice, Hilltop have created a “sound”, a sound that only they can replicate, that’s what stands Hilltop above anyone else in the industry. This album seems to culminate every they have learnt into something that is near perfect. From the leading single ‘Won’t Let You Down’ with its downplayed chorus to promotional singles ‘Art of the Handshake’ with its minimal music choice, Hilltop have created something that can be played over and over again, without losing anything that it gave during the first play. A feature of Hilltop is that it grows and grows the more it is played, a perfect example of this is Hilltop’s breakthrough track ‘The Nosebleed Section’, in 2003, this track placed ninth on the Triple J Hottest 100 of that year, yet, 10 years later, and after another 900 songs had placed in their respective Hottest 100’s, the very same track by Hilltop Hoods placed 4th in the Hottest 100 of the past 20 years. If anyone thinks this is coincidence, its not!
Hilltop’s complex themes and intriguing one liners, only create a base for listeners to then branch from. With each and every listen, these themes reveal themselves slowly. Hilltop bare their entire selves in each and every song, with no better example than in ‘Through the Dark’. A solo track from Pressure about his son, who at nine years old, was diagnosed with leukaemia.He pours his heart and soul into each and every syllable he speaks. If Hilltop were to ever take you on a heart-wrenching journey through their lives, it would be in this track. This is Pressure speaking to his son, talking about everything he wants to say, and providing the listener with a beautiful entry into what it is Pressure is thinking. The final verse on this track is nothing more than the most meaningful thing I’ve heard in Australian hip-hop.
And I’m sorry that I can’t take your pain, or answer why / I lay awake through darker skies / I say your name, you cast a light / Like a flame on a starless night / And I, didn’t know what was lost ’til you found me / Didn’t know what was locked in, without keys / But we can walk across all these boundaries / You and me, nothing here to stop you, you’re now free / So I wrote this to give you hope / For every good thing in life you live to know / They say cancer survivors are gifted though / Let me know if that isn’t so.
It’s this song that really defines why people love Hilltop Hoods, the fact that these guys just completely and utterly commit everything they have to each and every track, its something that shows the listener that they made the right choice in listening to their music.
‘Walking Under Stars’ doesn’t only display the talents of the men who have their names printed on the cover. Guest appearances from hip-hop royalty in Drapht shows just exactly where the Australian hip-hop scene is at. It takes Drapht into something that usually isn’t associated with him, a heavier track, similar to ‘Parade of the Dead’ displays the way that Hilltop can absolutely nail each and every track, no matter its style. Another recognisable appearance is that of Indigenous Australian Alternative Rocker, Dan Sultan. Fresh off his own album release, Sultan lends his howling voice to a track that uses boxing as metaphor for rhyming.
Possibly the most memorable appearance on the album, is that of Maverick Sabre. The Irish/English singer/songwriter, lends his marvellous voice to the hook in ‘Live and Let Go’ and more noticeably on the hook and outro of ‘Won’t Let You Down’. In each song, the Irish singers voice elects more emotion than most singers can, it provides each song with that sincerity it endeavours to give to listeners. Again, Hilltop have chosen the prefect guests that not only complement their style of music, but also add to what they’ve created. Although the track ‘Won’t Let You Down’ is directed towards their partners, whilst listening I can’t help but feel as though the track can also be sung towards the fans. But then again, after tearing the rest of the album, there is no way that Hilltop could ever let them down.
It’s obvious that this isn’t Hilltops first attempt at creating something so wondrous. From the very first song to the last, listeners will be entranced in their sound and captivated by the lyrics and themes Hilltop provides. In amongst 2 - 2x Platinum selling albums, 2 - Platinum albums and 1 - Gold selling Remix Album, Hilltop Hoods have created an album that could easily surpass anything that has come before. The boys from Adelaide have created something that all up and coming rappers should aspire to create, an album that can be enjoyed by anyone, and one that truly encapsulates everything that that the creator is about. ‘Walking Under Stars’ is an outstanding display of musical talent and one of those albums that will never ever get “old”.
Possibly the most memorable appearance on the album, is that of Maverick Sabre. The Irish/English singer/songwriter, lends his marvellous voice to the hook in ‘Live and Let Go’ and more noticeably on the hook and outro of ‘Won’t Let You Down’. In each song, the Irish singers voice elects more emotion than most singers can, it provides each song with that sincerity it endeavours to give to listeners. Again, Hilltop have chosen the prefect guests that not only complement their style of music, but also add to what they’ve created. Although the track ‘Won’t Let You Down’ is directed towards their partners, whilst listening I can’t help but feel as though the track can also be sung towards the fans. But then again, after tearing the rest of the album, there is no way that Hilltop could ever let them down.
It’s obvious that this isn’t Hilltops first attempt at creating something so wondrous. From the very first song to the last, listeners will be entranced in their sound and captivated by the lyrics and themes Hilltop provides. In amongst 2 - 2x Platinum selling albums, 2 - Platinum albums and 1 - Gold selling Remix Album, Hilltop Hoods have created an album that could easily surpass anything that has come before. The boys from Adelaide have created something that all up and coming rappers should aspire to create, an album that can be enjoyed by anyone, and one that truly encapsulates everything that that the creator is about. ‘Walking Under Stars’ is an outstanding display of musical talent and one of those albums that will never ever get “old”.
My competition, listen they ain’t gonna stop me ever / I feel as large as Biggie, swear it could not get better.
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