Highly Suspect, MCID | Album Review 💿

After a three-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated collective Highly Suspect returns with an eclectic, if flawed third studio album, MCID. 

“I’m sick of the liquor and sick of the drugs / I wish I could just stop fucking up…” Sigh, after a three-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated rock collective Highly Suspect returns with their third studio album, MCID (My Crew is Dope).  Johnny “gives zero fucks” Stevens and company follow-up Mister Asylum (2015)  and The Boy Who Died Wolf (2016) with an album that incorporates hip-hop.  While MCID has its fair share of moments (“16”, “Upperdrugs”, and departure “Tokyo Ghoul” among them), MCID is ultimately ALL OVER THE PLACE.

“Fly” 

On the rousing hip-hop infused opener, ✓ “Fly” (lyrics from the song are excerpted at the top of this review), Stevens addresses his plethora of issues.  Such issues include contemplating suicide and a tenuous relationship with members of his family.  The memorable chorus captures his state of mind regarding life.  While Stevens sings throughout “Fly,” his vocal performance embraces melodic, pop rap to an extent.  At the end of the song, he has a lengthy list of shout outs, ultimately asserting “Think I just needed to get some shit off my chest.” Fair enough Johnny!

“It took me 16 years to find ya / One second to love ya / Seven years to hold ya / One minute to lose ya / Oh, God / Where did I go wrong? / Oh, God.” Standout ✓  🤩 “16” has more of a commercial, ‘pop’ sound compared to Highly Suspect’s previous work.  The change of pace is welcome, but don’t get it twisted – the rock remains in play.  One of the biggest selling points is Stevens’ voice, which is quite colorful and nuanced.  Furthermore, the songwriting has a legitimate claim at being the crowning achievement.

“Do you remember
When you told me you were holding my future kid? Eh
And all the joy that that would bring
Well, I thought I was the father
But baby, it’s not my daughter
‘Cause baby’s a different color
And baby, I’m not a brother
It was just too much to swallow
You ripped my heart out.”

When asked if this dark song was difficult to write by Billboard, Stevens said, “I’ve wanted to write the song for a very long time… It was very hard in that I couldn’t portray the story properly, but I never forced it.” Ultimately, “16” ends up being a winner.

“Freakstreet”

“Freakstreet” keeps the energy and momentum of MCID rolling.  The production is particularly notable, as Highly Suspect trade ‘balls to walls’ guitars for electrifying synths.  This newfound sleekness is surprising but also intriguing.  Stevens sings the majority of this minor key joint, but he also slips in a rap verse.  Like “Fly” and “16,” the chorus is quite enjoyable.  

For fans who enjoy more of the angst filled Highly Suspect, third single ✓ “Canals” arrives in just the nick of time.  Here, the guitars return in roaring fashion.  Of course, there’s some synths as well to complement.  Most importantly, ‘gives no fucks’ Johnny Stevens delivers an expressive, profane vocal performance that definitely embodies the spirit of rock and roll.  Uniquely, “Canals” features a Swahili chorus on the bridge section, which provides a change of pace and eliminates predictability.  Following the bridge, the band returns to its hard rocking ways.

“Upperdrugs”

“When I go out, I start searchin’ for the upper drugs / When I wake up, I get scared without my down drugs / Fuck.” The lengthy rocker ✓ “Upperdrugs” could’ve easily appeared on The Boy Who Died Wolf with its interesting harmonic progression and distorted, heavy guitars. Stevens continues to be expressive to the nth degree.  Again, the chorus hits hard, balancing rock and pop soundly.  Also, like “Canals,” the bridge plays true to function, contrasting what precedes it musically.  Lyrically, the bridge is in line with the druggy nature of the song. “Upperdrugs” is followed by a brief instrumental, “Tetsuo’s Bike,” which is totally out of character of Highly Suspect. “Tetsuo’s Bike” isn’t a key track on MCID, but the instrumental is certainly dope, and sort of seems like a fitting lead-in to the following single…

“Tokyo Ghoul”

It’s clear that ✓ “Tokyo Ghoul” is a hip-hop joint from the jump, opening with minor key synths.  Terrible Johnny (Stevens’ alter ego) plays his biggest role yet, singing the chorus, the first section listeners are privy to. It’s memorable, featuring those signature nuances. From there, the rapping begins. Terrible Johnny busts rhymes, keeping things pretty simple.  The tone is negative, as Stevens has lots of people against him.  He alludes to Fairweather, fake friends and fans (“I got these people around me / Say that they love me, most of them fake”) who aren’t committed to a change of pace (“Tell me how I should make art? / Nah, you don’t get this heart”).  Young Thug arrives on the second verse, in his own, unique style.  As for Terrible, well, he returns with a final verse, referencing his life and seemingly, his evolution to an extent.  Despite the starkest stylistic shift, “Tokyo Ghoul” is quite enjoyable.

“SOS”

After welcoming Young Thug to the fold, Highly Suspect shifts back to the world of rock, inviting Gojira for the assist.  Naturally, “SOS” opens chaotically, with wild vocals by Joe Duplantier and aggressive, in-your-face guitars from the band(s).  Following the ear catching intro, “SOS” settles in.  Johnny Stevens handles the vocals on the verse, with much more melodic prowess than Duplantier (by design).  Duplantier splits the chorus with him, later delivering the bridge and outro solo.

From Gojira, Stevens and company turn to a starkly different collaborator, Conor Mason (of Nothing but Thieves).  The pace slackens on the more enigmatic, smoother ninth track, ✓ “@tddybear.” Where the guitars were ripe on “SOS,” the synths return on “@tddybear.” This isn’t hip-hop though, embracing more of a pop/rock or alternative sensibility.  By the end, rock dominates, with the guitars turned up, and the spirit through the roof.  The chorus is incredibly simple, but “@tddybear” ranks among the best songs.

“Arizona”

“Arizona” concludes the collaborations for a bit but finds bassist Rich Meyer singing – another change of pace on MCID.  The record is a bit somnambulant for my tastes, but the beauty can’t be denied.  Brief, vibe-laden instrumental “Juzo” precedes the final collaborative effort of the album, “The Silk Road” featuring another unlikely guest, Tee Grizzley.  Grizzley appears on the second verse, dropping bars about the policing.  As for Johnny Stevens, he raps briefly and quickly on the short first verse. No worries – Stevens follows Tee’s verse with his own, politically charged verse, which naturally criticizes President Donald Trump.  Ultimately, “The Silk Road” is an odd record, MCID begins to feels too long.

“Taking Off”

Post-“Silk Road,” MCID heads on a downward spiral.  “Taking Off” features some cool production cues, but Stevens’ vocals lack the same bite and intensity.  The song falls flat and feels unnecessary following so many dynamic cuts. “These Days” packs more punch, even if it doesn’t reach the high watermark established early on. Still, the second verse is a bit… um… something else.  Rhyming words include slut, nut (as in “bust a nut”), and butt…  Highly Suspect gets another decent chorus out of “Snow White,” though MCID has clearly run its course. Instrumental “Nairobi (Outro)” closes things out.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, as aforementioned, MCID has its fair share of moments, most of which occur early on.  The eclecticism that Highly Suspect incorporates is appreciated – there is nothing wrong with blending different styles.  That said, not everything works or works seamlessly, and there is a lack of unification overall on MCID – it’s all over the damn place! Also, MCID, which runs at just about an hour in length, feels too damn long.  With some edits and a few less [filler] tracks, the album would’ve been stronger.  Still, Johnny Stevens, Terrible Johnny, and company have bright spots.

✓ Gems: “Fly,”  🤩 “16,” “Canals,” “Upperdrugs,” “Tokyo Ghoul” & “@tddybear” 

Highly Suspect • MCID • 300 Entertainment • Release: 11.1.19

Photo Credit: 300 Entertainment