This last aspect is what differentiates Northern State from many other currently popular hip-hop artists.  The bulk of popular hip-hop music (both U.S. and U.K. – I’m looking at you, Lady Sovereign) derives much of its lyrical ‘content’ from each rapper bragging or talking about themselves, over and over, for the entirety of an album.  The consequence of this is often confusion (why are you hot again, Mims?), or boredom brought on by repetition (yes, S-O-Veeeeeee, we understand that you are short, feisty, and unladylike).  You will experience neither of these things while listening to Pen, because while the ladies spend a lot of time talking about themselves and each other, most of these boasts are in songs connected to larger social issues, or tempered with songs that don’t have a shred of self-promotion to them. 

Some of the best tracks on this album are the ones with the weightiest lyrics and the most to say.  “Sucka Mofo” wryly details different types of...well…sucka mofos, and their global-warming, street-corner-leering ways.  The Democrats even get a wake-up call at the end, with the ladies asking that “Now that we got some real candidates / Can we please come correct in 2008?”  For an unforgiving, eye-rolling rant against the leader of the free world, check out “Cowboy Man,” where the MCs take a break and the ladies sing and harmonize with the best of them.  One of the most powerful tracks on the album (“Cold War”) is a rant against the apathy the world displays in the face of important issues such as police brutality, violent pornography, and homeland security, while “everybody’s talking ‘bout getting married / everybody’s talking ‘bout buying houses…/ everybody getting up and going to work.”  “Things I’ll Do,” one of the last tracks on the album, finds first Spero, then Sprout and Hesta Prynn, espousing all the things they’re good at, from parallel parking (Spero), to writing songs that will “get you soundin’ like Britney,” (Hesta), and organizing underwear in a color-coded fashion (Sprout).  While this is not social commentary, it does hit a nerve with many twenty-something women (and men), who are unsatisfied with their careers and wishing they could make a living doing what they’re good at , no matter how quirky.   (I am quite good at being bossy and making omelets, should anyone require me to perform those skills for a reasonable fee.)

Northern State clearly know how to party and have fun (check the innumerable references to mojitos, margaritas, ‘guacamolito,’ and The Rodeo Bar, where, according to the band’s website, the girls are not allowed to have any more ‘writing parties’), and throwing “Mother May I,” “Oooh Girl,” or “Iluvitwhenya” (a rather sexy tribute to constructing beats and working on their rhyming skills) on at your next birthday party is sure to get the crowd dancing. 

I know I’ve ventured into unrestrained gushing in this review. Perhaps I should have simply written the two most important things that I’d like you remember: Northern State is an awesome band, in the truest sense of the word.  You should buy their records because they are smart, original, and funny as all hell.

Download These: “Things I’ll Do,” “Mic Tester,” “Cold War,” “Mother May I,” “The Three Amigas,” “Sucka Mofo.”  Just buy the whole album.

Avoid: Not buying the album.  Don’t deprive yourself!

 

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Northern State's Official Website

P.S. Northern State is playing at the Middle East Upstairs on 8/22!