Fliptrix & Forest DLG Take You on A Journey with New Album ‘Elevation’ (Review)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Fliptrix has been a much respected figure in U.K. hip-hop for almost two decades now. Having founded the beloved label High Focus Records, which helped in the careers of the likes of Ocean Wisdom and Rag’n’Bone Man, and his own group, The Four Owls, he certainly has made his mark.

‘Elevation‘ marks his 11th studio album, following on from 2024’s ‘Dragonfly‘. It sees him work alongside Forest DLG, a producer with whom he has collaborated several times before. There are also plenty of guests from Ayah Marar to Frisco, and at just over an hour, this record has plenty of time to spread its message. Originally released on physicals alone, the project is now available on streaming services, as well.

‘Teacher‘ is a good start to the record musically and in its message. The smooth and mellow production is very calming, as is our lead’s delivery. Further to this, the guitar playing is very nice, providing atmosphere. Fliptrix has always been someone skeptical of the powers that be, continuing to deliver this with a pacey flow. Having seen the erosion of rights that he references from the arrest of peaceful protestors and the scrapping of jury trials for cases of three years or under, his words hold weight. There is some nice scratching at the end from tour DJ, Jazz T, using samples of the likes of Ice Cube that fit the topics at hand.

The record has an insightful, positive message to it that comes through in plenty of moments. ‘One Heart‘ asks the listener to put the phones down and go out and see the unexplored, over a wavey, mesmerising beat. ‘The Divine Feminine‘ shows the importance of women and why they should be respected and loved. It does this via emphasising intelligence and nurture, as well as beauty. ‘Tears in the Eyes of Gaia‘ is a particularly vulnerable moment. He is inspired by the Greek goddess of the Earth to grow from the pain. This feeling is emphasised by its melancholic, whimsical production, but it offers hope to those grieving or lost.

However, the album also challenges the listener to question their surroundings. ‘Freedom?‘ questions whether a dystopian-esque future is on the horizon, similar to that seen in ‘Blade Runner‘ or ‘Cyberpunk 2077‘. In particular, Coops’ line “It’s that totalitarian tiptoe / That’s got me buying crypto.”, indicates an attack on democracy and surveillance state approaches that are taking place. Its mellow lo-fi beat allows you to focus on Fliptrix and the aforementioned Coops.

Other guests bring their A-game, meeting the moment and providing top-tier flows and bars. The posse cut, ‘Dangerous‘ gives plenty of MCs their time to shine over an ethereal beat, heightened by the metallic drums. Da Flyy Hooligan also gives a pacey, but clean flow on ‘Do You Wanna See‘. He matches our lead’s sentiment by highlighting that people are fighting one another like cavemen. Not only do these moments help the enjoyment of this release, but they also highlight the respect and love people have for Fliptrix and his words.

The production from Forest DLG also has to be shouted out. The use of synths, whether distorted, erratic, or bassy add to a dystopian feel that matches the lyrical topics. ‘33 Vertebrae‘ matches the energy of Fliptrix with an intense sci-fi-esque grimy production. Meanwhile, ‘Ups & Downs‘ is mesmerising in an equally futuristic sound, but in a much calmer way. Some beats are a bit more bare bones, but for the most part, the sounds on this LP not only complement the words but equally engage the listener.

What hinders the album somewhat is when similar topics are gone over, and the record gives you better examples. However, this project, for the most part, is an artist carrying and articulating his message in the best possible way. Equally, while some productions don’t grip me as much as others, the sounds of this record are compelling and futuristic. What Fliptrix does here is showcase his sound and take it up a notch. And as the first collaboration project between him and Forest DLG, I’m intrigued to hear what is next.

Score: 7.5/10

Fliptrix & Forest DLG are on Instagram. Stream the album below or buy it here. You can read more album reviews, as well.

About The Author