Album Review: Tiny Warm Hearts

With a husky rapping voice reminiscent of ‘The God Father’ Louie Knuxx’ latest offering Tiny Warm Hearts is a collection of introspective and mellow songs mainly about relationships. I could describe them as love songs but I think that would be a stretch. Louie Knuxx keeps the raps slow paced and simplistic and the vibe of the whole album is rather low key. The album has a handful of collaborator’s who lend the project a Polynesian flavour. The instrumentation has a strong Trap influence made apparent by the tempo synths and snare rolls. In moments like the chorus of Mercury Plaza the album also has a slight Indie vibe.

Someone covered from head to toe in tattoos has to maintain his tough guy image so probably isn’t going to get too soppy with his “love songs” so initially there’s not too much warmth in the lyrics of Tiny Warm Hearts until you get to the title track which is quite a touching and a true emotional “Love Song”. There are definitely hints at a deeper emotional undercurrent in the rest of the album that become apparent on further listens.

The songs are well structured and nicely produced and the album flows quite well in pace and tempo. It’s definitely more of a contemplative mood than a party album. Louie keeps his sound current with the Trap of YARP and the opening track Body would fit quite well on commercial radio.

On first listen I found it hard to get past the gangster-esk Americanised posturing present in Louie’s voice, delivery and lyrics, which is how I often feel with NZ rappers. But once I got over myself, I began appreciating the album.

Louie Knuxx has been working on his craft for a considerable time and this is the second album he’s released in the last couple of years. Tiny Warm Hearts reflects artistic mastery and is the kind of album that allows you to peel back layers of depth the more you listen to it.

Tiny Warm Hearts is available on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp and Soundcloud.