This week’s new artist is the soulful The Age of L.U.N.A.
About fifteen years ago, The Black Eyed Peas tried to achieve success through the means of pop-rap that blended hip-hop verses with catchy choruses. What resulted was a bit of a mutilation of classic 90’s rap and R&B. The Age of L.U.N.A. (Live Under No Authority) seeks to revive what seems to be lost on modern hip-hop, equal priority on the raps and the hook.
Producer NKOK is most likely the heaviest source of that nostalgic vibe that the UK band fronts. Even the instrumental moments of songs seem to carry them along. NKOK doubles the color of peers like the abhorred DJ Mustard who create “new” beats by rotating a tap on the hi-hat from their previous work. On both slow jams like “Sweetness” and the rapid “Body and Soul,” there are enough layers of production to keep you from ever getting bored. This gives The Age of L.U.N.A. just enough diversity to thrive while maintaining a consistent formula for success.
The consistency in quality is due mostly to the hooks delivered by the silky Daniella Thomas. Upon first hearing her, it is hard not to immediately think of 90’s icon TLC. Thomas is a living, singing reminder of what modern hip-hop is leaving in the dust: the soul.
Perhaps the biggest problem facing the band’s US mega-hit potential is that they stray away from mindless music. Pop-hip-hop nowadays has two major themes: doing some kind of drug and/or having a lot of intercourse. The Age of L.U.N.A. uses “big words” compared to Trey Songz and his ilk. They also rap about relationships, not just momentary carnal cravings (and do so much better than Drake).
Another obstacle for L.U.N.A. is that their two rappers have distinct English accents. It is not determinant that they will never find success, but it doesn’t help. Those who disagree might want to list all their favorite English-accent rappers.
Fans should hope that they eventually find a ship to take them across the pond, since America is most definitely where hip-hop thrives. What seems amazing, though, is that the band currently has no plans to tour in America or anywhere. They also have no apparent plans to add new content to their quite limited discography. It could be that the band is much like Frank Ocean or Tool, believing less is more in some situations. Let us hope that it is not due to their lack of motivation or inspiration.
Their site looks pretty barren at the moment, showcasing only their videos, downloadable music and a few pieces of merch. Hopefully, this is because they are hard at work at more music and not on some kind of hiatus before they truly rise as musicians.
The hiatus could lead to a break-up. As much as they cohere as a band, there is so much individual talent from each member that solo ventures are possible. It is indeed wishful thinking that all the members of The Age of L.U.N.A. run the course of their current project before moving on.
