MAIN ATTRAKIONZ

BOSSALINIS & FOOLIYONES (Young One Records)

14/20

Oakland cloud rap duo Main Attrakionz rose to prominence last year due to associations with key players amongst hip-hop’s new brigade such as Danny Brown, ASAP Rocky, Das Racist and Lil B. But the buzz about Main Attrakionz isn’t to do with oddball personas or masculinity-challenging outfits, instead it’s due to their on-trend formula of laying down hedonistic but introspective raps over hazily atmospheric, spaced-out beats anchored by 808 drum sequences. Bossalinis & Fooliyones isn’t a dramatic departure from 808s and Dark Grapes II, the definitive mixtape among their generous output, but the production credits show a new roster of producers recharging their aesthetic. Breakthrough beatmaker Harry Fraud can do no wrong right now, and his contributions are an expected highlight, while Chicago-based producers Supreme Cuts are behind some of the album’s most sensual moments. MondreM.A.N and Squadda B’s style can be so laid back their verses melt into tipsy half-sung hooks and listeners with a preference for quotables might be at loss here. But Main Attrakionz’ trick is to ride along beats in a reclined state without drifting into a stoned stupor. So despite Bossalinis’s dazed feel, Main Attrakionz work hard to keep the listener’s attention, and that’s probably key to their charm.

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Words: David Reed