In spite of a severe language barrier that kept me from understanding Herbiarz’s rapping, there were no barriers between myself and this EP’s engaging flows and solid beats. Herbiarz’s rap has a distinct energy and an addictive quality to it.
Polish artist based in Gdynia, Herbiarz is a rapper who comfortably raps in his native Polish. His latest EP is titled Łykaj Moją Pięść. A fiery collection of 5 tracks that do undeniably share DNA, listening to Łykaj Moją Pięść is an absolutely enjoyable breeze, in spite of its language. Polish sounds edgy and dangerous, Herbiarz sounds compelling and his laidback deliveries are consistently engaging, and the threatening energies that exude from the instrumentals are universally tangible.
The 5 cuts that make up Łykaj Moją Pięść are uniformly low to mid paced, the harmonies are minimal and the trap beats are present and full of character, and the electronics-dominated instrumental add a lot of personality to the pieces, a personality that is carried from each track to the next, seemingly weaving all of the EP’s cuts into one cohesive and incredibly danceable experience.
The EP’s first 3 cuts blend into each very smoothly, sounding like 3 distinct acts to the same rap opera. The 3 cuts feature similarly melodic backdrops and dark energies that exude from each line. The title cut starts the EP with this striking energy, delivered via punchy parts and smooth, melancholic riffs. A prominent and fractured bass line says more through its syncopated silences than it does with its few notes is an outstanding part that showcases Herbiarz as a capable musician who knows the value of the space between the notes. ‘Hajs’ concludes the trilogy with its ominous, one-chord sound that’s foreboding. The synth riffs are uniquely sounded and the rapped harmonies are a delightful addition.
The cyclic and metallic synth riffs on ‘Witam’ are punchy and just a plain delight. The little piano trill on this cut is undeniably one of the EP’s coolest instrumental touches, and the minimal riff and lighthearted flows make ‘Witam’ the album’s most ambitious and enjoyable cut. The EP concludes with ‘Biznes Rośnie w Siłę’, one of its most vividly colored and melancholic cuts, featuring the EP’s only drum fill. Another distinct tune with a well-crafted sound and flow, concluding a short, solid, and sweet with an abrupt halt that leaves you almost out of breath.
Herbiarz’s Łykaj Moją Pięść was a fantastic introduction to the sound of this talented Polish musician. A powerful and short collection of well-made rap bangers that will get your body easily moving, and your mind also as it searches behind each of this album’s hidden instrumental cues, none of which are haphazardly added.