Feral the Earthworm: Unit-E Album Review

By Kristopher Tondre
Music Journalist

Artist: Feral the Earthworm
Album: Unit-E
Label: Whogaf Productions
Release Date: May 26, 2016
Website: http://feraltheearthworm.com/

Sincerity is so undervalued. Knowing that someone’s intentions are good is such a breath of fresh air when all too often people are primarily looking out for themselves and furthering themselves- sometimes at the cost of others. Listening to the way a person will speak, and knowing that they’re telling you exactly what is going on is refreshing. With his third album, Unit E, Feral the Earthworm is open about going through the lows and discovering himself along this path in pursuit of his own dreams.

As he stated on his website when describing this project, it’s “about a dude who hit rock bottom then traveled the country as a coping mechanism.” There’s an easy-going flow to the project as a whole though Feral the Earthworm often switches his flow from a fast-paced double time style to that of a normal speaking pace, as showcased on the autobiographical opener, “Temples Made of Stone” with Julya Byond. However, this young emcee is very open throughout the entire project as he details what all he’s been through, from breaking up with his girlfriend, the passing of his grandfather and the effect on his grandmother, living in a van, and delivering pizzas to rich kids who don’t have to work for what they want. Where most rappers worry about flexing and having the hardest bars out, Feral the Earthworm comes across as genuine. He’s telling his life story the way that works best for him, and it makes for an enjoyable listen.

“And all these rich kids, they think it’s so funny/But I don’t care, because I paid for this van with my own money.”

“Two Tacos & a Water Cup” could be the anthem for every college kid out there. This song is all about those times when you don’t have enough money to eat much so you throw together whatever loose change you have in between sofa cushions and pant pockets just to go get a little bit of food and the complimentary clear water cup from the fast food place down the street. It’s about not having the slightest clue as to what you’re doing with your life, but you still keep going. Yes, there are people with nicer things, but going through a struggle like this makes you appreciate what you do have that much more, such as a van that you bought with your own money. The energy picks up on “Stalingrad Theory” where Feral the Earthworm seems to vent the frustrations that may have seemed dormant on the laid back tunes that came prior to this. It’s a subdued battle anthem that’s slyly cut throat in a way where the listener might not expect it. It’s a nice energy boost on the album before the mood is completely switched on the closing track, “Nobody Wants to Be Alone.”

At only nine tracks, Unit-E is a well rounded album that satisfies listeners following Feral the Earthworm, but should leave them wanting to see how far he’s able to take his talent considering his hard work ethic and skill behind the microphone. There are really no songs on here that any listener should skip, as each one tells a different story that helps you appreciate the emcee even more, and with a laid back delivery the album’s more like having a conversation with an old friend rather than a rapper piecing bars together. Feral the Earthworm is genuine in his pursuits, and hopefully his van will get him everywhere he wants to go on his journey.