Album Review

Lanca Gomez – Always Relevant Mixtape

• 15th Jun 2011

Lanca has been absent from the scene for a minute but don’t think in that time he hasn’t been honing his skills. Taking influence from artists he admires Lanca delivers a solid return on ‘Always Relevant’. ‘Stylin Freely’ is the opening track, Lanca goes bar for bar over melodic beats with softly spat rhymes complete with brash delivery over wits bars; this makes the listener take notice from the very
beginning.

‘The Thrill Cover’ sees Mr Gomez’s first cover of a Wiz Khalifa song, it’s a solid track and Lanca flows smoothly over the beats. ‘Cheeky Chappy’ features another scouse artist Miss Stylie. Lanca pays homage to his crew, the Cool Gang and explains why he will always be relevant. Miss Stylie fits perfectly into this track and her quick delivery and tempo changes make this a stand out track from the tape.

‘Number 1 Girl’ features recently signed Liverpool artist Chelcee Grimes. It’s an old track and does sound a bit dated when compared to other tracks on the album. ‘Blame It On The Swagger’ features another female vocalist Janiece Myers and again despite solid bars and hook I think this sounds dated.

To turn back to the positives of the tape ‘Just A Fan’ sees Lanca spit over Kanye West’s Devil In A New Dress. It’s Lanca at his story telling best and explains his difficulties with a love interest. ‘Fresh’ is my favourite track on the mixtape and it is an absolute banger. Lines like “Don’t have to show me love coz I know your girl will” show Lanca’s wittiness and you can see his development as an artist from 2007.

‘Where Did You Go’ produced by LDP sounds like a Craig David hook from a few years back. It’s not a negative comment if anything it’s a compliment because at that time Craig David was ruling the UK charts. ‘Dear Hater’ features Aaron Julius and it is another solid track, it is really catchy and addresses Lanca’s haters. ‘It’s Real’ is a deep track, Lanca spits some real personal verses, including speaking about the passing of his sister. The track has a solid hook, and again charts Lanca’s development as an artist. Lines such as “It’s easy for someone to say it will be alright, when tense situations are playing on your mind all night”.

‘Right Now’ features Skitz Murd is another really good track, very catchy and a head bobber for sure. ‘What’s My Name’ sees Lanca spit over Rihanna’s track and taking on the flow of Drizzy Drake he delivers a fair cover. ‘Grime Freestyle’ is exactly what it says on the tin. ‘Young N Rekless’ shows Lanca doing what he likes and saying what he wants, it will appeal to the youth and again a common subject throughout the tape is Lanca addressing his haters whilst bragging about his prowess with the ladies.

‘Single Cover’ is a quick freestyle over Lil Wayne’s track and Lanca flows effortlessly over this chilled out Weezy track. ‘Light Dreams Cover’ is a Tyga cover and Lanca demonstrates his clever word play whilst discussing his musical history. ‘Wishing On A Star’ produced by Chartstalker shows Lancas sincerity on the mic and shows he is not all about bragging. ‘Strive to Succeed’ explains the struggles Lanca has been through and is a fitting end to a triumphant return to the scene.