This is the brand new EP from Port Huron emcee/producer Substance810. Fresh off his brand new album The Definition Of that came out earlier this summer & as we approach the fall, he’s teaming up with Chuck Chan for Chess Pieces.
The EP starts with “Checkmate”, where Substance810 talks about being the king of the chessboard over a soulful instrumental. The song “Lay Your King Down” with Lupus Dei sees the 2 showing off their wordplay abilities over a dismal boom bap beat while the track “Fischer vs. Spassky” with Deuce Hennessy & Guy Grams finds the 3 talking about how they perform in the same fashion as the titular chess match over a cold instrumental.
The song “Regal Rooks” with Chuck & Killy Shoot sees the 3 talking about how anything they breathe turns out to be sick over a steady beat while the penultimate track “Tactical Motifs” with Deuce Hennessy & General Back Pain finds the 3 going at wack rappers’ throats over an instrumental with a mesmerizing vocal sample. The EP finishes with “Time Clock”, which is easily the most introspective cut on the entire project backed by a Godly boom bap.
Man, Substance810 has really been on a roll this summer because I enjoy this just as much as I did The Definition Of. Chess fans are bound to get a kick out of the EP’s concept behind the game & Chuck Chan‘s production is on point as are the features.
Score: 8/10