I introduced you guys to Jay Elly last month with his music video for “Faces”. Today I have a review of his album “Take No Elz”. Now when “Faces” dropped I can’t front I threw it on in the whip and blew my face off. Jay Elly’s ability to flow with the beat along with his sleek and confident personality, it’s hard not to throw this album on repeat.
When you see the album title “Take No Elz” it’s easy to dismiss and even I didn’t take the name too seriously at first. Then you turn the record on, Elly evokes the rap era during the 2000’s and to me the best version of it. The entire first half of “Take No Elz” is all Jay Elly no guest appearances and you can tell Elly is hungry. That’s not something you can feign or fake. The metaphors, similies and wordplay just keep hitting you over and over again, I found myself raising an eyebrow multiple times to Elly’s overall cleverness lyrically.
You should take “Take No Elz” as literally as possible, Jay Elly is speaking on the other side of struggle throughout most of this album. Elly may not be out to strike vengeance, but he is fully aware of those who spoke ill of him, who questioned his motives and doubted him. Tracks like “Invite Only” & “After Hours” almost seem to speak directly those who never thought he’d make to this spot here.
Once “Flavor” hits the album takes a bit of a shift, Elly is still confident and still delivering lines with the utmost confidence, “Flavors” takes things to a romantic level and featuring heavenly vocals by Kruzie. This is followed up by “Kobe Freestyle” a posse cut featuring Paperboy Casino and Kearn Cobain, the track GOES and while all the verse aren’t absolute fire, it reminds of Tyler the Creator’s “TrashWang”. Jay Elly grabs some of his peers and ball out on a track. The album ends with “Never Forget It” and it brings everything together. This track is a direct letter to those who hated, Elly has clearly been through the trenches and came out clean and making a profit. He struggled to get here and he deserves to be here “Never Forget It”.
“Take No Elz” impressed me more than I expected it to. However Jay Elly is consistent, catchy and clever. 10 tracks deep is enough to get you on Elly’s side and wishing you were right next to him celebrating his victories. The production is incredible and fits Jay Elly like a glove. Take a listen to “Take No Elz” and remember Jay Elly’s name, he’ll be here for a while.