Laroy Streat has made a lot through his music. He has churned through his life, he has made others. He has told us tales and imagined worlds we haven’t. With his latest album, he approaches it all as a form of healing. He gets vulnerable, alone and thoughtful. This is his latest release, Therapy Session, Vol. 1.
He addresses issues to the face. When he does so, Laroy Streat has elements picked out which might have even been freestyle elements. Just him and the mic, he immediately gets into the flow. There is a meditative background beat that brings it all together.
In Wanna Be Me, he is discussing issues of self-image. It is a powerful condition to hear, almost cathartic for us as well. Like Lamar in Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, Laroy is saying it as it is, while facing his inner demons. At points, the beats don’t even seem to matter, for the words are carrying the gravity. Yet, they are appreciated in songs like Got to Fight. There is a pop melody embedded within the opening, which brings a lightness to the already heavy album. The verses are more melodic, ironed out and ease the pressure off the listener.
This continues in the mix of the interlude as well. Ameris joins Laroy Streat to create an introduction, an apt one, to this self-therapy. It becomes more important as it is melodic and rememberable. This continues into the song Therapy, which Leroy creatively endures, and makes it almost like a R&B dance song. The verses have much more capital, and create a lot of the ebb and flow a song like this requires.
Leroy Streat is no stranger to bringing the truth through his music. This has pretty much been his entire USP, creating this trustworthy persona that grows with the audience. He appreciates all the support, for he is truly earning it. After having his success as a freestyle force of nature, he has also angled himself to creating some amazing pop tracks. Being a rapper, he is also able to create the drama the words need to really impact the people listening.
He returns to the drama with his killer wordplay in King. The river’s currents go faster, his surgical wordplay brings the crown and places it on his head. Among the many indie hip-hop artists out there, Leroy Streat works, because he works towards it all. The proof is in the pudding.
The artist from Boston, MA has had the time and patience to rifle through it all. For himself, for us. We get to see and learn from the process, and that is all that counts. You can follow Leroy here and listen to his album for more music like this:
