She is back with a new album “Hood Rats” and I’m in love with the sound she created here. I pressed play not really knowing what mood I’d be in by the end of it. But around the second track “Voodoo” I caught myself nodding without thinking. It has that throwback hip-hop feel. Drum patterns that hit clean, simple loops and great production.
Before even getting into the music, it’s hard to ignore what Lisa Jo shared about her situation. She is about to go into a high-risk surgery soon. It could take her voice or even her life, and you can feel that weight sitting quietly behind the whole project. It makes the album land a bit heavier.
I love her style and like how she handles the structure. She builds the beats, shapes the sound and lets different artists take the verses. It could’ve felt scattered, but it doesn’t. Each feature slides in smoothly, like they were meant for those exact beats. You hear different voices. but the direction stays clear the whole time.
She steps in mostly on hooks or harmonies and those moments matter. They’re short, but they pull things together. There’s a steady hand behind everything. especially in how the tracks are arranged. It’s not messy or rushed. It’s clear and honest. You can tell she spent time getting the small things right. The way a beat drops out for a second or how a hook comes back in at the right moment.
It’s 13 tracks and I didn’t feel the need to skip around. That says a lot. The sound is strong and the quality holds up from start to finish. This album is like someone locking in and doing things their way. Knowing what she’s facing right now makes it hit differently. I really hope she gets through the surgery safely and I’d honestly like to hear where she takes this next.
