Inhansed’s “self” Single Review

Here again on post number two, talking this time about the latest single from Louisville, KY ill mind and lyrical miracle spiritual criminal in ya swimmin’ pool, rapmeister Inhansed, entitled “self.”

For those who don’t know Inhansed, he has been doing everything about as DIY as possible from whatever bedroom or couch he’s stayed in or on for probably close to a decade or so now. Aside from making really heartfelt, visceral, lyrical assaults over some of the coolest beats ever (be them produced by his own hands or others), Inhansed also runs a podcast of sorts called “WeMadeAVideo” on YouTube. Today’s review will focus on his musical efforts for now, of course, though, and in this edition…it is the most recent thing he’s released as of this year!

So let’s dive in…

(Image still from Inhansed’s music video for “Save Ya”)

The track opens with a very “vaporwavey” instrumental, the drum beat feeling a little more on the “trap” vibe as it also kicks in. We’re then met with a mountain of almost confessional-like stanzas, where Inhansed launches right into the thick of it about how life’s been lately. One could almost even say he’s returning to his roots here, as lots of earlier eras of Inhansed feature darker lyrics and themes, and usually contain hard-hitting personal subjects portrayed as experienced through the Louisville rapper’s own life.

A victim and witness of unthinkable childhood turmoils, seemingly endless betrayals, homelessness, and complicated relationships, no matter how many times in his life Inhansed seems to get broken, he always manages to take the pieces and solve the puzzle in stylish fashion, reshaping and reinventing himself every step of the way, like a real-ass HARDCORE MUTHA FUCKA…This track serves as no exception to a chronicling of dark times with hopes of brighter days to return again.

(Image source unknown. Yo, photographer person, if this is you? TAG YOURSELF OR MESSAGE ME, PLEASE!)

One might say the whole “My life kind of sucks, struggles do kill, been in my head too much, trying to be real”-ish theme that tends to recur on much of Inhansed’s work might seem a bit “played out,” but I dissent on this because if we expect artists to write about their real feelings and remain authentic in their song structure and what’s coming from the heart, then it would make sense for someone like Inhansed to just take what’s happening in real-time on any given moment he puts pen to paper and translate it into his art. Just because the expression seems perpetual or recurring does not necessarily make it bland or any less authentic.

I will say though that this track, while I do understand these days especially the short songs are usually the best to make singles and a 2-and-a-half minute timespan is typically ideal, this one feels a bit more like an interlude; Like something that belongs in the middle of an EP or even album. It personally leaves me wanting more, though I’m not entirely sure what “more” is. Regardless, I almost wonder if that works in the track’s favor by hooking the listener in more, creating anticipation for what’s coming next. New album? New EP? Will these even be part of it? Who knows! We’ll have to keep following Inhansed and see!

In conclusion, this single has some real introspective depth to it. Some elements feel a little dry instrumentally, but the vacancy also adds to the nature of the song and its subject matter. This track feels like you’ve been thrown into solitary confinement with no one or nothing to vent your thoughts to but your own conscience. We can only patiently await what Inhansed has in store for us next, and if this track is in any way a hint of that, it could be a familiarly dark road…

8/10.

Follow everything Inhansed at: https://linktr.ee/inhansed