Blanco Searches For Reconnection On Latest EP 'Gilberto’s Son'

South London’s Blanco takes a risk with the experimental Gilberto’s Son, his latest EP that breaks the boundaries of traditional genres and lives in it’s own intersection.

The thirteen-track EP named after Blanco’s late father, follows a year on from his last mixtape Rebourne, and places Blanco at a juncture of sorts. Gilberto’s Son is an example of a person who is actively looking to understand himself through the cultural experiences both lived and inherited. The end result is a project that challenges in production if not subject matter.

The only issue is that for large parts of the project his lyrical approach is similar to what we have already heard before. Same tone, similar overall themes and we come away with glimpses rather than the full image.

The project, however was heavily influenced by a trip to Brasil where Blanco interacted with its cultural and musical scene – the evidence of that being in ‘Tyla’ featuring Brazilian rapper Veigh.

Whilst also the South African sound can be heard on the colourful and dynamic ‘Sombrero’. Consisting of warm an acoustic guitar and expressive horn, it effortlessly from a production point captures the mood of Brazil. Whilst the upbeat ‘Ponzi Scheme’ allows Blanco to demonstrate his lyrical ability.

However before we get to that the project starts off with ‘This System’. Composed of soulful samples that simply take you away, Blanco is thoughtful as he reflects on his journey using his typical relaxed flow before cutting to his musical ambitions.

The Kennington native moves into ‘Soda Lime’ – a bright and melodic production however doesn’t disguise the vulnerability in his voice. He raps “And how do you love me when I don’t love me? That don’t make sense to me”

Collobating with Leicester born rapper Sainte, ‘Misteaks’ is a playful back and forth that departs from the serious air at the beginning of the project before.

Other moments that stands out is when there is venture to the Amapiano soundscape on ‘117’ features Nigeria’s Blaqbonez.

Before the measured ‘Scars’ sees an introspective Blanco open up on the difficulties of maintaining relationships and the impact of money with the help of SadBoi who adds her own distinct voice to the beat.

A follow on from the previous track Blanco lets go of past experiences that he feels are holding him back in the intimate record ‘Let Me Go’.

However the soulful ‘Protagonist’ is an interesting perspective shift as hinted by the recorded audio of the song that warns nothing is certain. It ultimately tells us that things aren’t in black and white as you can easily be the hero or  villain in someone’s story .

He reverts to drill on ‘Charlie Sloth’ featuring close friend and Harlem Spartans member MizOrMac. Before transitioning into arguably the most emotionally mature track of the project.

‘Trustfall’ has none of the bravado in other tracks. The piano based production ebbs deep feelings and we sit with Blanco at his rawest as his thoughts unravel.

Midway through it, London singer-songwriter Grace Carter compliments the track with a powerful verse as her vocals rise and fall against the emotive instrumentation as she addresses her desires.

The end of the project ends ‘Brilliant Mind II’, and the Manchester born rapper Nemzzz raps the first verse leading us into the song with vigour before falling back to the South West Londoner who doesn’t lose the pace and carries us into his new musical chapter.

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