Bodega Dream - chronic city

Bodega Dream 

Chronic City
self-released; 2014

3.6 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Darion Kelley and Sergio Rivera may be on to something with their project Bodega Dream. Their recent EP entitled Chronic City is about ten minutes in length but showcases some potential.

They have been told that they sound like Chance the Rapper meets TV On The Radio. I’d say more TV On The Radio than Chance the Rapper. I would go as far as to say that they sound like Young Liars era TV On The Radio. They also infuse more hip-hop into their music and seem to take themselves a little less serious than TV On The Radio. In fact some of the music is downright playful in a good way.

The first “Gift For A Ghost (Intro)” revolves around intelligent rhymes, handclaps, piano and some low-end thunder. It surprised me how much they fit into the minute-long song and reminded me of something you might hear from Flying Lotus during one of his short cuts.

The TV On The Radio thing people have referred to happens in the first minute of “Unraveling.” It’s that dark, ominous atmosphere coupled with a driving beat they dig into. The songs get pretty wicked as they twist and contort synths. One of the guys sort of does this talk/rap thing towards the end of the song that works. Overall, “Unraveling” is a solid track and showcases some talent but the gold medal winner goes to “Chronic City.”

“Chronic City” features some straight up hip-hop and smacks you in the face with a number of different styles. It starts with a saloon-sounding playful rhyme that transitions into a dreamy atmosphere. The rhymes are full of metaphors as he talks about being covered in silver and forging material. It got as silly and unpredictable as the Eric Andre show at times but hell it's their god given right.

This appetizer of an EP leaves a lot of questions. Can the guys deliver a full-length album? Will they be able to file an adequate restraining order from the female fans? And when if ever will they achieve world domination? 

My only issue with the EP is that the last two songs sound pretty different. Meld the styles effectively my friends and then you can sit back and let the money roll in.

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