Steve DaMar gets straight out personal on his new album KnightMares of the 310. Within the intimacy of the lyrics and the emotive delivery, DaMar reveals both his talent and his mindset. The early tracks of the album feel especially biographical giving us as listeners an insight far too may other artists run from. With KnightMares of the 310, Steve DaMar makes it clear he runs from nothing or nobody.
From the opening track “Lyntro” you get a sense of place, of intent, and of determination that prevails throughout the entire album. These qualities are delivered via a variety of flows and styles that keeps the entire project feeling fresh and intriguing for the duration.
The third track on the album “LaLa” kicks ups the energy with a hard beat, backing an old school flow with banging bars. Coming with bravado that stands in stark contrast to the bare honesty and vulnerability of the next track,“Thinking Chair,” which also has more of a soulful R&B delivery at times. These back-to back selections shine a spotlight on DaMar’s diverse talent, both in the writing and the delivery. The varied arrangements and deliveries of this album also speak of a quality in production and forethought to the construction of the album.
“Lynwood Mac” takes us to Steve DaMar’s home streets of Lynwood, California and the backing production perfectly sets of his smooth flow that carried a hint of Kanye in both its message and delivery.
The title track is the sixth offering among the seventeen selections making up the album. “KnightMares of the 310” is the history behind DaMar and is certainly pivotal to establishing to lyrical progression of the album and feels almost like the end of chapter one of the project with the vibe taking a more mellow, less emotional intense direction.
That is not to say the back half of KnightMares of the 310 goes easy in its writing or performances. Only that there is a noticeable shift in the vibe.
DaMar might step back from the self-reflective intensity, but his boldness and flow are still unflinching. Tracks such as “Laxative” which make it clear the artist isn’t going to take shit from anyone, whereas “Bulletproof Soul” and “No Peace” deliver clear Conscious Hip-Hop vibes with intelligent, thought-provoking lyrics that might not feel as starkly personal as the opening tracks, but carry universal resonance that wraps around your mind long after the last beat.
“Kan’t Rest” is another standout track among the tracks on the back half of the album. Coming with a stream-of-conscious vibe, the delivery is emotive and real and like every other track on this collection the production gets out of the way never overshadowing the emotion of the writing or delivery.
Steve DaMar stands at the mic and delivers without the need for unnecessary embellishment. Honest and true, there is not a toss away track on KnightMares of the 310 making it a standout effort from an artist that deserves every bit of the attention coming his way.
