MAX POETICS is a collaboration between two long-time musical partners in crime Rapswell & SQ, known for their work with the celebrated group PENPALS. After a decade of putting out albums under that moniker, this is Rapswell's first official solo effort, and an opportunity to showcase what makes his particular brand of artistry so unique. Over the course of 12 tracks, Swell takes the listener through a journey into the depths of his mind as he tackles subjects such as mental health, spiritual growth, and the finer points of making a pot of split pea soup. He also brings in the talents of his extended fam, with verses from Armand Hammer's ELUCID, Moses Rockwell, NAHreally, and andrew, among others. Their shared sensibilities demonstrate a sense of community around the current independent hip-hop scene that is felt strongly throughout the duration of the album.

The range of this record is exemplified by its three singles. The Beauty of Simplicity represents the path Rapswell is forging in his life, by trying to appreciate the simple things in life while acknowledging his flaws. SQ's instrumental is bombastic and joyous, with a wailing horn line that elevates the energy of the track to new heights in both artists' discography. There is an unwavering commitment to positive change that is present in the lyrics when Swell says he's "Such a sucker for unlimited catharsis/I'm winning it, no losses/And pivot through the darkness". It's the beginning of a new stage in life, into a place where dreams thrive and difficult emotions are felt thoroughly in order to be transformed into something beautiful.

This leads us to Fear No Evil - a song about looking directly at that part of us that we are afraid to believe exists, but is necessary in order to evolve as a person and become free. Influenced by several years of therapy and meditation, Rapswell approaches this topic through methods that are part of this personal process and emerges with a template for how to craft a composition that is both brutally honest and refreshing in its vulnerability. Plus the beat bangs.

Floating Over The City is an observational account of what you see when drifting above New York, with all of its people and buildings looking small from above at first and then zooming into focus in intricate detail. Using a satellite as mic, Swell tells a story of self sabotage, battles with chatbots, and finally answers the question of why you never see a baby pigeon. DJ Marcus Pinn comes in with a display of dexterity on the cuts and utilizes Aceyalone's Mic Check vocals in a way that would make the Invisibl Skratch Piklz blush.

Whether you've been a supporter of the Filthy Animals Music (https://pen-pals.bandcamp.com) crew for years or this is your first foray into his music, this is a great introduction to the latest version of Maxwell Tetrault aka Rapswell. The album that allows him to fully express himself over SQ's tapestry of sounds and reveals songwriting at the zenith of his prowess, MAX POETICS is a rare gem.

BBGuns has a one of a kind hip-hop based sound, drawing from punk, blues, rock, and house, while still maintaining a foot in catchy hooks and song craft. They are doing something within the space few are exploring. In addition, their live show is extremely high-energy, and infamous for its unrelenting pace. They are fresh off their monthly residency at Bottlerocket in Pittsburgh.

With their third LP, titled "Rust Belt", BBGuns reflects on the decaying state of America, and channels that into a more aggressive and grungy sound with guest features from Copywrite, Walkman, Eliy Orcko, AARIE (fka Kid A), Cain Canary, M.E.L.T. and production from Height Keech, Billy Hoyle, q no rap name, and C.Scott.

Traverse the grey days with avant-garde madcap lyricist, Darko the Super, and producer andrew as they battle head on against a cyclone of concerns that most in our shared society attempt to ignore. Disease, famine, a crumbling structure, and depleting natural resources. It’s all there, just floating in our space. And soaring amongst it all is our faithful host Darko, holding on during a bizarre juxtaposition shit-storm, where depression jet streams rip him from smooth sailing. Nostalgia bleeds through to regret. Lethargic to energetic.

Before nosediving down again.

Refusing to sidestep the daily troubles of the world, Darko incorporates these dire moments into his spun yarns about faces and places that populated brighter days. Cutting up hanging cloud coverage, Darko arms himself with quick quips and tales of cartoonish scenarios with his signature mocking vocal tone delivery, always leaving the audience questioning with what’s to come next.

But he’s far from alone on this emotionally hazardous metamorphosis. His co-pilot assisting to lift Darko into these heights is none other than rapper, producer and all-around Philly music formulator, andrew. Building the vessel with a menagerie of sound and sample layering, andrew allows Darko and other past creative collaborators like Homeboy Sandman and ialive to perform lyrically aerial maneuvers.

So fall in, tune out the times, and prepare for Darko and andrew’s transformative journey. Observe them simmer in suffocating shadows stronger than gravity and still survive. Finding first acceptance and then growth within it. And from there, locating a place in the sun where they can finally turn into a perfect smile, despite all reasonable doubt.

- Chuck Harp

What do you get the man who has everything? More of it. What do you get a niche indie label for its 10th birthday? A compilation album!

“Beauty Know No Pain” is a culmination of friendships built in the all-encompassing world of making music, playing shows, and connecting through the magical powers of the internet. Art is our expression, an outlet of creativity which we use to one day live forever.

This album is specially curated to display the many styles and interpretations of our audio artwork. Slow to spastic flows populate the compilation. Relaxed wordsmiths traverse mind-bending experimental beats, touching on the humorous and the tragic.

“Beauty Know No Pain” shows that while you don’t truly deserve this beautiful art, you’re getting it anyway. So here’s to 10,000 more years of UDDTBA!

- Chuck Harp

Words to Dig By: Visions of Darko the Super’s, That Thought Became a Shovel

You currently stand in the doldrums, surrounded by a soil of redundancy and simplicity that keep your feet from tapping. The landscape is more barren than any wasteland, actively sucking you down like cartoon quicksand. But as you labor in the nothingness this modern age dustbowl, where you’re provided with everything to choke on but nothing of substance, your mind thankfully begins to wander somewhere else.

It searches for the possibility of a place much different from here. A chunk of universe beyond the sepia tone and deafening white noise that strangles the air. Where one with a love of auditory delights can frolic in waves of abstract lyricism, comedic wordplay, and everyman struggles. A place where MF Doom watches over all on high like a grand protector of the culture. And seas are rich with a mix of funk and punk, teeming in wide ranging samples of pop culture and England’s XTC. Rattling the mountains is an unusual voice only those in the know have gravitated toward before, reminiscent of an otherworldly Barry White interpreting ODB song structures in that crazed way only a few can do.

Before you sink too deep and give up all hope, something strikes you like a bullet to the head. The paradise you envisioned becomes reality as, That Thought Became a Shovel by Darko the Super. A tool to that world. A passport to the new and different without.

Now you can grip the handle, pierce the earth, and shovel your way out of the shit.

- Chuck Harp