Album Review: Flatbush Zombies '3001: A Laced Odyssey' is Exactly What Fans Needed

Empty Lighthouse is a reader-supported site. This article may contain affiliate links to Amazon and other sites. We earn a commission on purchases made through these links.

The release of 3001: A Laced Odyssey marks the long-awaited debut from Flatbush Zombies and it's a perfect culmination of what the hip-hop group stands for.

The Flatbush Zombies take fans on a journey through the haters in 3001: A Laced Odyssey. From the drug laced lyrics to declaring their bid for one of the top acts in the the genre today, the Flatbush Zombies are fearless young MC's that will blow your mind.

The guys humbly refer to themselves as "just some kids from Brooklyn" however, they forgot to add the word talented to that notion.

Tracks like the single "Bounce" feature the signature style of delivery of Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice and Erick "The Architect" Elliott over masterful production. The delivery of Flatbush Zombies is certainly an acquired taste due to it's raw and in your face style.

What adds to this sort of trippy and zombie-like identity that the group has created for themselves is the use of 90s production infused with mystical tones in the background such as that on "R.I.P.C.D." Interestingly enough the guys seem to make a point that Kanye West tried to make on Twitter a couple of days ago.

The guys are pointing out that the days of music are changing and is taking on an identity that is borderline unrecognizable from decades past.

(Album Stream Below)

More than anything the track just simply ride out so well. Especially "A Spike Lee Joint" featuring Anthony Flammia. The jazzy undertones gives you that classic New York feeling and brings a balance to the hard and fast paced delivery.

What the Flatbush Zombies managed to do with this debut album is give fans a culmination of previous works like D.R.U.G.S. (2012) and BetterOffDead (2013), while showing an incredible amount of progression. One of the standout tracks on the album has got to be the eerily composed "Fly Away." Light production mixed with dismal visuals planted in your head from the lyrics will send you on a 2 minute and 30 second trip without have to take a single drug.

#3001ALACEDODYSSEY OUT!!NOW!!!!

A photo posted by THE GLORIOUS DEAD (@flatbushzombies) on

If you're worried that the album was all smooth without a "turn-up" track then you're dead wrong. "Ascension" is essentially mob music. Everything about it is hardcore from the violent spew of lyrics from each member to the pounding beat.

The second half of the track serves as a way to mellow the mood out as the album continues. Recently Flatbush Zombies released the music video for "This Is It" in celebration of the release of 3001: A Laced Odyssey to remind fans why they created the album.

Overall, 3001: A Laced Odyssey should absolutely be in the 2016 top 10 hip-hop albums at the end of the year. You can stream the album below and let us know what you think of the Flatbush Zombies debut in the comments section.

Stream Flatbush Zombies 3001: A Laced Odyssey