By Odeisel

Michigan rapper CrisCo brings much heat and a gang of guests on his new EP release, Alchemist-produced How Does It Feel. The project is arranged to bring him out alongside some star power and that Alchemist co-sign and the intro,simpl- titled “The Intro” with its 70’s ABC sports-sounding orchestration gives ChrisCo a backdrop to rhyme solo and get his rocks off. He kicks the fast flow over bombastic horns and does his best to make his case as someone you should listen to. Flint’s Jon Connor caves the roof in on “We Run It.” His laser beam precision outclasses both his host, and co-star Marvwon.

Crooked I and Young Knox deliver most of the muscle on ” Drop That.” The song is designed to give ChrisCo some West Coast presence and he’s sandwiched between verse. He does an able job not getting drowned but he doesn’t distinguish himself, an issue that appears throughout the album Alchemist takes his production left, removing the testosterone for the personal testimonial title-track, “How Does It Feel.” The recurring child-driven vocal and simple drum lay the perfect path for ChrisCo to bare his all; telling his truth and chronicling his journey in life. It’s not the kind of song that lends itself to verbal histrionics and as such its perfect for ChrisCo.

The grand finale, “A Different High” is totally the opposite, bringing in sinister lows and digital bass along with Killer Kyleon and Detroit representer Obie Trice for hard-hitting bars. ChrisCo ups the aggression with tough talk. We’ve heard better from Kyleon but both he and Obie are enough to make the track effective.

How Does It Feel is a short but sweet project that is effective at being short enough to hold your attention, with guest artists to make you want to hear it upon peeping the tracklist. Unfortunately, the title rapper isn’t talented enough to distinguish himself among his guests and gets lost in the mix. The title track and the intro are the only spots where he gets solo time and are probably the most effective showcases for what lane he could occupy. Maybe next time, we’ll get a longer look at ChrisCo and his full capabilities.

3 Out of 5

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