Beautiful Eulogy - Satellite Kites

I first took notice of Beautiful Eulogy when Humble Beast posted the video for King Kulture on the website. The song is dope. I was super disappointed when it wasn't on Satellite Kite (Spoiler right out of the gate). The "super group" features Braille, Odd Thomas, and Courtland Urbano.

Satellite Kite is a great record. But it's also a record that has to grow on you. Instantly there were tracks I loved. But there were also songs I was unsure about and didn't get my first listen through. First off, the rhymes are legit and on point. Braille and Odd Thomas are not inadequate rappers and their skill on the mic shines.

On the musical side, Satellite Kite has a ton of variety and interesting pieces that will keep the listener engaged and scratching their head at some points. But it works together nicely... In the way a family works. A little dysfunctional at times but they all love each other. Ok... That metaphor might be a reach.

Hello From Portland is a lovely instrumental piece to start the record off. Rain in the background as an ambient guitar filters through before the drum machine kicks in. It sounds more like a track you'd hear from Hammock or The Album Leaf than a hip hip group. But the song is beautiful and really sets the tone that this isn't going to be like any hip hop album you've every heard. An Open Letter to Whoever's Listening and Covet are solid hip hop tunes with great beats. Nothing that'd you'd hear on the radio, but real hip hop.

And then things get weird... And awesome.

Take It Easy sounds like one of those DJ Pogo tracks where he uses all Disney movie parts for the songs. It's a trippy beat that took me a couple listens to really get into. But the rhymes come so strong and hit with ferociousness that both compliments and battles the beat. The String That Ties Us is another great instrumental piece that features a semonette from Art Azurdia. 


Anchor is the centerpiece of the record and rightfully so. The track features Josh Garrels and is a masterpiece. Josh's haunting vocals come in over a simple piano. Then the beat drops and the track moves between Garrel's vocals and great rhymes from Braille and Thomas. 


Yes, Satellite Kite took a couple listens to really grow on me but it did grow on me and it's easily the best hip hop record I've heard this year. It's an out of the box approach that a lot of people and a lot of non-hip hop fans will dig as well.