AKTHESAVIOR and Issa Gold (The Underachievers) have a cadence for language when delivering their verses that paint pictures warped by a psychedelic mind; it’s why I’ve been fans for years. In the 2010s, the East Coast was riding the waves of the zeitgeist, even creating an extensive collection that would get called Beast Coast (Pro-Era, Flatbush Zombies, and The Underachievers) and release a Beast Coast album. Though Joey Bada$$ would become the more noteworthy artist to continue his presence beyond this group’s core hip-hop audience, the others have delivered quality records since then, too. Issa Gold, Erick Tha Architect, Meechy Darko, Nyck Caution, and Zombie Juice would do so over the last two years—I’ve enjoyed them. That trend continues with another album by AKTHESAVIOR. His new album, u r not alone, with producer Sagun, is nothing short of mildly compelling introspections that still feel slightly empty. The flows are more rooted in conscious boom-bap, consenting to the production that bolsters vocals with its Lo-fi core, making the verses more attenable to the listener as they intake what AK wants to say, even when the content is stonery-preachy-like.

AKTHESAVIOR opens u r not alone conceptually, and it’s an intriguing turn as we hear him compose the beginnings of a letter to the world, as he uses introspective lyrics to speak about the socio-political climate, amongst other things, as he connects to his listeners. The writing is good, but it feels too honed in about being a message that it lacks the juice when trying to expand more because it rarely does. AK finds ways to set up perspectives toward the direction taken, like the profoundly introspective “Johnnie Talkin’,” which plays off the notion of truth-telling when drunk. It reminds me a lot of Issa Gold’s 2021 and 2022 albums, Tempus, where AK does similar and reflects on the years in the game, humbling himself through his successes and consistency with the standards set for himself as he connects that with a bridge to let fans know he isn’t blind to the world. The vibes are more intimate, which puts more focus on the lyrics, and though rhymes don’t get too lazy, you can sense the difference between a track like “Johnnie Talkin’” and “Self Worth,” with the latter being more preachy.

Sagun’s production is a definitive co-lead, and it happens to have a solid throughline. It blends unique synths with the drum patterns, creating moody lo-fi beats that give weight to AK’s rapping without feeling like it’s running out of ideas, like the electric “Humble.” It isn’t retreading familiarity within this realm of the rap ecosphere; it’s reflections just done differently. Meechy Darko had a whole gothic affair; Joey Bada$$ went back to his roots; CJ Fly is riding a solid wave of consistency; Erick the Architect still maintains his cadence for eccentricity, and when it comes to AK, it’s his flows that shine above as he laments on issues and showing his hand with a connection to what’s going on in the world. On these beats, when AK begins to tread into singing instead of full-on rapping the choruses, I find it dope as it feels more like getting out of a comfort zone. Matched with the lo-fi beats, one can’t help but feel the energy with “Issues,” where AK digs deep in his singing bag. Other times, it is a blend of hazy or hardened flows, showcasing ranging emotions and offering a reflective step back. It makes the feel worth the time.

Accompanying AKTHESAVIOR are some features that hold their own over some quality beats, especially on “Enough is Enough,” another rallying cry of a song that isn’t all that creative. It treads familiarity, but it doesn’t flop around, giving a half-assed approach, but it extends the album with something minor that takes away from the character that he speaks to the world as; the same goes for “Self Worth.” Fortunately, A$AP Twelvvy and Erick The Architect come through with their meticulously crafted penmanship. When AK is fully zoned in, the music has renewed flow; specifically, it comes in the middle of the album, where the flow and writing shine exponentially. From “Issues” to “Humble,” a consistency kept me fluttering with the need to replay these songs. “Tetsuo’s Way,” with Mick Jenkins, plays to having no trust and remaining vigilant as you never know who could be an OPP, especially since they come from unique grounds to get where they are. “No Scars” speaks about his modus operandi about keeping the peace—no need for beef when the music can remedy the bridge. “Mind Body Soul” is a spiritual soul-rap track that focuses on mediation within one’s self. There are highlights, even if the conceptual approach isn’t the strongest. There is something to it that brings some intrigue and consistency, even if it isn’t anything that new.

As AK notes about the album, “‘u r not alone’ is a message of solidarity. As humans, we’re all unique individuals, yet we all go through similar experiences and can help each other by spreading love and being more open and united,” and that gets heard throughout the album, even if it isn’t always strong. There was enough here for me to enjoy, but as it rounds the bases, it doesn’t leave much luster like previous releases. However, you can’t feel it was a waste of time as there is some quality here, even if it didn’t all land for me.