#plain speaking

If you mean, ‘upset’ or ‘distressed’- say that.

Not ‘trauma’ or ‘traumatic’.

————————————

If you mean ‘that makes me uncomfortable and I can’t articulate why.’

Say that.

Not “this is problematic.”

————————————

If you mean you were treated poorly or your feelings were hurt.

Say that.

Not “they are a narcissist or an abuser.”

————————————

If you mean “I don’t agree with you.”

Say that.

Not “you are a fascist.”

————————————

This is a mindless, brainless and very careless way of speaking. It dilutes the meaning of words.

There are real world consequences.

scallops hotel - glottal stop ft S.al

I’ve only really been persuaded to go back and listen to Rory Ferreira’s Scallops Hotel work since his tremendous Purple Moonlight Pages. Scallops Hotel offers a more personal insight into Ferreira’s mind than his more verbose Milo alter-ego, an excuse for introspection without the pressure of his previous flagship project’s name.

Plain Speaking attempts introspection, and such is the reason for its success. At the crux of that success is Ferreira’s effective differentiation of this from the Milo name, without losing what makes Ferreira such an identifiable and notable rapper. I’ve always felt quite a bit of affection for Ferreira’s style of hip hop and the way in which he makes it. He is thematically never predictable, his subjects are both abstract but inextricably linked to his personality. No matter how abstract his unfiltered visions and anecdotes may seem, they are undoubtedly his; his methods of thinking are as only could have come from someone with an academic background in psychology, the way that Ferreira thinks being just as fascinating as those philosophers he frequently references.

There’s this lackadaisical intent that makes Plain Speaking seem like music made by necessitation on behalf of the artist, not for his audience. The beats aren’t showy or expensive and are some of Ferreira’s most hollow and experimental, but mostly it is Ferreira himself that makes Plain Speaking so brilliant. Plain Speaking isn’t quite at the peak of the Milo discography or as complete a statement of Purple Moonlight Pages, but it’s also worth more than its status as a Ferreira side-project. It’s an underrated gem in his catalogue and well worth a listen.