Amid a five-year hiatus, Isaiah Rashad’s comeback was definitely worth the wait. His sophomore effort, The House Is Burning, has seen rave reviews from both fans and fellow artists alike, as Rashad peels off his most enjoyable project thus far.
From eclectic feature performances to mellow, articulated production, Rashad hits every note needed for a spectacular performance all around.
TELL EM B*TCHES IMA TOP DAWG https://t.co/FZWmIEo9Py
— sun (@isaiahrashad) July 30, 2021
TDE’s secret weapon has not only come correct with quality instrumentals and a VIP guest list, but also maintains his consistent laid-back atmosphere that his fanbase has come to love. There are many aspects of THIB that have drawn in listeners both old and new. Mainly, Rashad encapsulates a new era of his sound all while staying true to himself.
Production
Majority of the production on the project is handled by Devin Malik and Kal Banx, with appearances from various other producers, including the multi-faceted Kenny Beats.
GIVE KAL HIS FLOWERSSSSS !!! #THIB TOP 10 ! https://t.co/zzxzsHFYrQ
— kennybeats (@kennybeats) August 9, 2021
There is an overall warmth to each beat, with most of the tracks laden with smooth bass and acoustic drums. Many tracks contain samples of soulful crooning or viral vocal snippets, including a anthemic contribution from Project Pat’s “Cheese And Dope” on “RIP Young.” At times, the easygoing ambience is turned up a notch, with quicker paced songs such as “From The Garden” and “9-3 Freestyle.” Zay shows an incredible range in instrumentals while still keeping a cohesive sound to the project and allowing for a smooth listen.
Features
Isaiah’s tasteful yet selective pool of collaborators for this project makes for a well-rounded cast of voices. On “From The Garden,” the unlikely duo of Zay and Lil Uzi Vert has the latter dropping one of his hottest verses this year while clearly having fun on the track. Lead single “Lay Wit Ya” features fellow Tennessee rapper Duke Deuce, coming in with an unmatched energy in his verse. “Claymore”, the following song, is a collaboration with Smino, who, in Isaiah’s own words, “snapped.”
SMINO FUCKIN SNAPPED 😫🏆
— sun (@isaiahrashad) July 30, 2021
Amindi makes a sweet, sultry appearance on “All Herb” before assisting with the hook on “True Story” — featuring vicious verses from Jay Rock and Jay Worthy. Kal Banx makes his vocal debut on the hook of “Wat U Sed,” along with DOECHII adding a female perspective to the track. YGTUT drops a quick baritone verse on “Chad”. Finally, SZA and 6LACK come in for the Kenny Beats-produced “Score” — easily one of the smoothest songs of the year.
Isaiah Rashad’s performance
Throughout the record, Isaiah Rashad reminds fans why they fell in love with his music in the first place. With witty punchlines and moving metaphors scattered all throughout the “house,” his lyricism maintains a carefree tone as his voice impresses unequivocally.
Songs like “Headshots (4r Da Locals)”, “Don’t Shoot” and “HB2U” showcase Zay’s ability to moonwalk on a selection of beautiful instrumentals that fit everything from a family barbecue to a long road trip with the homies. The aloofness of his delivery creates a comfortable environment for the listener, with the uptempo changes in pace sure to have heads bobbing.
All in all, The House Is Burning is a defining addition to both Isaiah’s catalog and overall artistry, as the TDE rapper looks to continue his success escaping the vices that burdened him in the past.
