Here’s an in-depth review and track-by-track analysis of B3AR by Audio Rebel, B3werdna, and NRI:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/24W3P1K2S7FMm5Lqf7vfpQ?si=8Ps2pv6sSNyLdvwyOz1EVw
Artists: Audio Rebel & B3werdna (producers), with vocals by NRI
Release Date: October 29, 2021 via Digmador Records (vinyl-first), later digitally in Dec 2024 (Digmador)
Total Tracks: 11 (vocal + instrumental) (Amazon Music, Amazon Music)
📝 Track-by-Track Analysis
Sinde (3:46)
Opens with dusty boom bap drums and lo-fi vocal chops. NRI lays down sharp bars in Taglish, addressing personal scars and cultural roots. The beat’s subtle harmonics give it introspective weight.
Antos (3:36)
A deeper, soulful groove. NRI delivers steadily paced rhymes reflecting endurance. Sampled keys and muted horns evoke a melancholic mood—balanced and accessible.
KoK (3:01)
Short and punchy. Pared-back beat allows NRI’s cadence to shine. This minimalist track centers around cyclical loops and lyrical discipline, emphasizing rhythm and poetic brio.
Lumipad (2:45)
Lighthearted yet thoughtful. Breezy flute or guitar loops over crisp percussion symbolize flight and liberation. NRI’s flows here feel freer, uplifting after earlier introspection.
Papel (2:53)
A commentary on value, work, and survival. Subdued piano chords and vinyl crackle support NRI’s lyrics about hustling and making ends meet. A grounded, streetwise track.
Binasa (4:48)
The album’s longest and most cinematic moment. Layered samples, strings, and chord progressions build into cinematic resolution. NRI delves into memory, loss, and redemption. There is emotional depth unmatched by other tracks. (Amazon Music)
Sagip (2:50)
Midtempo with urgent drums and reverberant synths. Lyrics seek salvation—from systemic pressure, from internal doubt. A soulful plea drenched in rhythm and purpose.
Cosmic Savior (feat. Cruxido) (4:14)
Featured artist Cruxido adds contrast to NRI’s verse. Production drifts between spacey ambient pads and off-kilter percussion, giving it an ethereal, experimental character.
Idolo (2:28)
Crisp and concise. Examines idol worship, identity, and aspirations within Filipino context. Minimalism pushes lyrics to the forefront with staccato, confident flow.
Tikasan (3:02)
Fast-paced with punchy drums and rolling instrumentation. Thematically about evasion, escape, survival. Energetic delivery, tight hooks, and rhythmic intensity make this one head-nod-worthy.
Kulong (3:17)
Darker tones close the album. Minor-key loops, brooding synth bass, NRI’s tone lowered and deliberate. Themes of confinement—be it systemic or mental—resonate with finality.
🎛️ Production & Aesthetic Notes
Side Structure: Side A (six tracks by B3werdna, likely vocals + minimal beat), Side B (five instrumentals by Audio Rebel) though compositions overlap across sides on streaming. (Amazon Music, Amazon Music, Amazon Music, Digmador)
Textural Palette: Jazz and dub influence, vinyl crackle, muted samples, lo-fi warmth.
Mood Flow: Begins introspective → builds energy → concludes reflective and somber.
Identity & Diaspora: Taglish lyrics transition between English and Tagalog, reflecting hyphenated life and dual cultural navigation.
Resilience & Survival: Titles like Antos, Sagip, Tikasan emphasize struggle and resistance.
Memory & Redemption: Binasa stands out as a narrative centerpiece—memory, growth, emotional clarity.
Escape & Confinement: Lumipad and Kulong frame the album’s thematic arcs.
✅ Highlights & Listening Tips
Binasa for emotional layering and narrative.
Tikasan for energetic flow and crisp rhythmic drive.
Cosmic Savior for experimental scope and featured contrast.
Headphones recommended—ambient details and subtle textures shine.
Take it in two passes: first for lyric focus, second to digest production and ambience.
B3AR is a standout in Filipino underground hip-hop—a raw, honest album grounded in personal truth, diaspora reflection, and classic beat craftsmanship. It’s:
Authentically DIY: fully independent production, self-funded and handcrafted. (Amazon Music, Amazon Music, Digmador)
Culturally rich: bridges local Filipino expression with global underground sound.
Emotionally layered: moving between fight, flight, introspection, and resolve.
Let me know if you’d like even deeper lyric translations, comparisons to similar Filipino hip-hop works, or social media promo copy crafted for the album.
