Posted on: June 3, 2020 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

MC Homeless & HaplogroupX (Transplant and Bernichus) released their Duress EP in late May. First off is Disarray, a single that utilizes a backing beat that calls back to 1970s folk rock. Taking turns tackling the track with disparate styles, listeners can pick up hints of mid-1990s NYC and a bit of the Digital Underground in the triad’s vox. The extended instrumental interlude (beginning at 1:30) gives listeners a second to breathe before taking a second dip into this laid-back flow. Poison initially starts with some inspired lyrics, MC Homeless’s patois showcasing a back and forth between tremendous skill and otherworldly swagger.


Analog is the shortest effort on the Duress EP at 100 seconds or so; an infectious beat and sweeping synths establish an sympathetic backdrop upon a pitter-patter of 1990s callbacks (e.g. Hulk Hogan, baseball cards). The decision to eat, shoot, and leave is always appreciated when longer tracks have a higher incidence of falling short, but the song leaves me wanting more. Listeners will easily be able to identify with the halcyon days of one’s youth, especially when compared to the difficulties that one encounters on a daily basis as an adult.

Harbor (feat. Anthony Maintain) holds the penultimate position on the Duress EP. The song is our favorite on the extended play. There is so much material packed into a four-minute space. The presence of another lyricist into the mix separates the single from the rest of the fare on the release. Mirrors has a deliberate beat relying on a flute sample. Some of the release’s sickest bars can be found in the 2:30-3:00 mark of the cut. Refined lyrics and sizzling guitar work (contributed by Joe Cannariato) unite to conclude the release; fans will have this unification of lyric and music tattooed on their souls, visible long after the Duress EP concludes.

Production on Duress (by Transplant) is solid and keeps things clear while generating an alluring backing beat for the EP’s five tracks. The songs comprising this release represent a cohesive identity while existing in a different aural space. Duress is available on Bandcamp in digital and physical formats.

Top Tracks: Poison, Harbor

Rating: 9.1/10

We last checked MC Homeless’s Pink Unicorns out in 2006.

MC Homeless & HaplogroupX – Duress / 2020 Milled Pavement Records / 5 Tracks / Bandcamp / Spotify

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