With his fifth studio album, Freddie Gibbs ventured into the realm of concept albums: »$oul $old $eparately« is about a fictitious hotel in Las Vegas (including casino, of course) to which Gibbs has retreated. What for? To finish »$oul $old $eparately”. Meta-meta-meta. But of course all wrapped up in a grand narrative that is about gambling, hedonism, risk, paranoia and existence in general.
Technically, Freddie Gibbs is as untouchable as ever. Far more unexpected is the choice of producers. Besides Madlib and The Alchemist, James Blake and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League are also in the credits. The fact that »$oul $old $eparately« nevertheless sounds so cohesive, so rounded, is due to the atmosphere, the play with levels. Because of the risks Freddie Gibbs took.
Does not want to be a one-trick pony
Although »$oul $old $eparately« is his first major release. »It would have been easy to do another »Alfredo« or »Bandana« and the critics would have loved it. But then everyone would have thought I was a one-trick pony,« Gibbs said in an interview with US magazine Rolling Stone.
Instead, now it is certain: This album was the next step in his impressive oeuvre. And from June 9, 2023, »$oul $old $eparatelyG will be available on vinyl too. A limited edition of 500 copies on yellow vinyl, including an additional Vinyl 7inch flexi disc, will be available exclusively from HHV Records.
