Post-Industrial Fizz: Tzusan's Latest Project Reviewed

A key reason the Scottish scene is going from strength to strength right now is artists like Edinburgh’s Jacob Turner aka Tzusan – and the experimental Skoop Records stable he co-founded – pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. It’s this unique production and delivery that set him apart and makes his latest release Fizzy Milk such an addictive listen. It’s short and sweet: seven tracks of hard bars, thick beats and imaginative concepts that leave you hungry for more. Much like his debut release Babau, what sets aside this project from other records you’ll hear this year is the strong emphasis on wordplay and rhyming patterns. This technical and methodical style is complemented by grimy industrial beats and an expert use of sampling and effects.

The project kicks off with a bang: ‘Veruca Salt’ is at first glance a straight up trap banger, with its mazy production and beefy vocal effects. But his intrepid songwriting means you’re constantly wondering what will happen next. Tzusan’s lyrics have a habit of drawing you in and relating to the listener what he’s trying to communicate. For example, he goes deep on ‘Fly Like A Bulldozer’, surmising that we’re “stuck in the simulation, 3D fully immersive”, an apt description of a somewhat cynical view of society and a ruthless dissection of the post-industrial society Tzusan he (and many of his listeners) will be familiar with.

This nihilistic vision is reflected in the production. ‘Belfast Harbour’ is cold, chilling and bass-heavy, with haunting vocals swirling in and out. They’re a perfect accompaniment to Tzusan’s deep vocals and technical delivery. His concise and direct style is at home amidst the lumbering, lo-fi instrumental surrounding him. This is developed on ‘Dreggs’, although its relentlessly repetitive chorus somewhat punishes you into submission. Perhaps it’s aptly named, the only average track on an otherwise impressive set.

In fact, I couldn’t help nodding throughout – always a good sign of earworm hip hop. And he leaves the best until last. First, ‘Portcullis’ bursts into life with on-point wordplay accompanying heavy bass and digital high hat and of course on point wordplay. And nothing compares to the lead single ‘Ivon Cutler’. Its understated piano intro teases what’s to come, before Tzusan emerges with a masterful flow on a strong beat that he feels uniquely placed to deliver on. Like all the best lyrical hip hop, his contemplative and vivid style places you in the scenes he’s painting, leaving nothing wasted.

Fizzy Milk is an addictive project from one of Scottish hip hop’s emerging lights. It’s precise and intricate with a unique blend of lo-fi with industrial sounds. I want to hear more from him.

Sanjeev Mann

You can cop this album on Bandcamp

Photo: Danny Crofts