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The new single by Rapper, Alyst, sees him leaning into his more thoughtful and sensitive side. “Gold” clocks in at a radio friendly 3 1/2 minutes, and gives clear indications that Alyst is becoming more comfortable in the studio. Though the track remains in cruise control for its entirety, Alyst still gives his all from a delivery standpoint. “Gold” has the benefit of instantly resonating with fans of the genre. It also checks off virtually every box, when it comes to crossover potential.
Originally from Kentucky, Alyst has since relocated to New York. He’s partnered up with Producer, Affluent Oscar Sanchez, in what has proven to be an advantageous collaboration. The duo seem all but determined to frame Alyst as the next big thing in Hip Hop. It’s never been hard to argue that Alyst looks the part, but tracks like “Gold,” ensure that he sounds it as well. With a name like, Alyst, it’s rather clear that he is not one for humility, and he walks the walk with his newest release.
The lyrics to “Gold,” seem to essentially be a flattering assessment of a love interest. He likens, “shawty,” to that of pure gold. Somewhat surprisingly, comparing a young lady to gold isn’t an analogy that has been overused. Alyst is sure to give the song a personal touch, even if his overall sound is at least nominally derivative of the genre, as a whole. Truth be told, Alyst seems only a transitional phrase away from being more of a Singer than a Rapper.
Alyst is a solid and at times, dexterous Rapper. His verbal agility is slightly less outstanding than his pace and phrasing, but you get the sense that he is still finding himself as an artist. He tends to cater to some of the more cliched aspects of Hip Hop, and more often than not, as in most cases, it seems dutiful. The biggest takeaway from “Gold,” will be its smooth vibes and the title reference. The production is high end, and the track is radio ready.
“Gold” is a track that gets virtually everything right. Why then, does it still feel like we aren’t quite hearing Alyst at his absolute best? It could be that the Rapper is still deeply entrenched in his development. It could also be that Alyst is making the music that he thinks will connect. In reality, the music he has deeper within him, is likely far more compelling.
All speculation aside, “Gold” is a highly satisfying listening experience. Alyst turns in a sexy, confident, and tender performance. His delivery is never short of authentic, and the track is stupendously crafted. There is no reason to believe that Alyst and Sanchez don’t have a hit on their hands, here. Artistically, the pair just continue to ascend, and you get the undeniable indication that they have many more tricks to play. While, Alyst may be new to the scene, his talent is worth its weight in gold.
by Jennifer Munoz
