A collaboration betwixt Seattle emcee Sadistik and CunninLynguists producer Kno should come equally no surprise. The two showed cracking chemistry on "Kill the Kings" off Sadistik's 2013 album Flowers for My Father and have continued to work together e'er since. Equally the man who in one case dubbed himself the "emo Premo," Kno certainly understands how to craft sounds for the dark imagery employed past an artist like Sadistik. The Phantom Limbs EP marks their first endeavor as a duo and does not disappoint.

Those familiar with Sadistik's career volition be very familiar with the lyrical themes employed on Phantom Limbs . Like most of his past piece of work, the writing on this EP is evocative. Sadistik paints brilliant pictures with his words that bring listeners into his country of mind. Being emotional is sometimes used as a pejorative in Hip Hop, but it should non be. Sadistik'south lyrics can exist classified as such in that they are raw and intense. That emotion is an nugget, particularly when paired with the rhyming skills of Sadistik. His first verse on "Daydreams" is a neat example of this:

"Nightmares and dreamscapes/ Sylvia invented that discussion, she'due south my dream date/ She'd leave me keepsakes/ And asked me if I'd keep her safe, I establish a way/ Now I'thousand out of place, high without a trace/ I'1000 in outer space, a downward spiral land/ A sequoia in a flower vase/ Roots reaching like a mile away/ Either way, I don't wait/ Lie Awake, eyes are weights/ Visions of a smiling face up/ Imprinted on a prism with his dying traits/ I'll shut my eyes I can fly today/ So high I tin can stay, away from everybody/ Abroad from all the mirrors, safety from whatsoever sentence/ They don't desire me here, perhaps heaven loves me/ The night terrors make me fantasize/ And lately it's the same thing."

What makes Phantom Limbs work so well, mayhap meliorate than any of Sadistik'due south past piece of work, is the production of Kno. Having one of the best producers in Hip Hop involved is apparently a major nugget to any project. Just more than that, Kno has a knack for crafting beats that embrace Sadistik'southward melancholy sentiments withal illuminates them.

The EP's opener "The Darkness" kicks off with a vocal sample that would sound right in place as a hymn at a Catholic mass. As the beat out builds and the drums kick in, the mood is set for Sadistik to embrace this special kind of darkness. Instead of creating a vocal that is zilch merely gloom, the light added to the tape makes information technology something much more unique.

What's most impressive about the dynamic betwixt Sadistik and Kno is one never overshadows the other. There's no overbearing trounce that drowns out Sadistik's words or a point where Kno's beat comes across an afterthought. Yet, in that location are showcase moments for each creative person. The posse cut "Unaware" is a lyrical exhibition for the emcees involved as Chino XL, Sheisty Khrist and Metasota join Sadisitik for some wordplay wizardry. On the other side, EP closer "In Heaven" is a highlight for Kno behind the boards with its pipe organs and deftly placed pulsate blueprint. Yet, the production behind "Unaware" is what guides it just as Sadistik'southward lyrics heighten the instrumental on "In Heaven."

Phantom Limbs is a fantastic improver to the respective discographies of Sadistik and Kno. Sadistik delivers quite perhaps the best work of his career while Kno continues to prove why he's ane of Hip Hop's aristocracy producers. The duo is in sync throughout the entire EP as they arts and crafts one of 2015's most hit releases.

Make no mistake, Phantom Limbs is music for your headphones. The EP format works to its favor as a 10 plus runway LP may take been too heavy for long lasting entreatment and replay value. Instead, Sadistik and Kno follow the erstwhile GZA adage of "half short, twice stiff." Phantom Limbs may clock in at less than 30 minutes, but it'southward just as strong as whatsoever total length album yous volition hear this twelvemonth.