Virginia’s Fly Anakin is primed to be the next great hope for Hip-hop. The prolific and innovative vocalist/producer possesses the type of restless creativity that is palpable. This work ethic is evident throughout the artist’s expansive discography and resonates directly in the soul. The artist’s wide-reaching prowess has yielded listeners multiple stellar LPs, positioning Anakin as a shooting star that everyone is trying to catch a glimpse of. The next meteor shower is about to occur, as we welcome the latest solo effort from Anakin, (The) Forever Dream. Executively produced by fellow underground Hip-hop hero Quelle Chris, these 16 songs are the culmination of two individuals putting their minds together to present a vivid portrait of Anakin’s individuality.
(The) Forever Dream ushers in the next chapter for Anakin, one that is promising to be filled with experimentation and artistic risks. For an artist who has consistently evolved with each release, it would be hard for Anakin to surprise fans with a sonic shift, but it would be even more challenging to find someone who could’ve predicted the sonic landscape of this LP. These 16 songs evoke the warmth of lo-fi, the grit of nostalgic Hip-hop, and a left-field approach that gives (The) Forever Dream a stark contrast from the artist’s previous releases. This is Anakin as we’ve never heard him before. He tackles these off-kilter production choices with the confidence of a sommelier in a wine cellar, each word and vocal inflection being carefully chosen. Despite the loose feel and jovial tones of the album, this is Anakin’s most consistently impressive and focused project to date. Whether that is due to Chris’s hands being on the LP or Anakin’s maturity as an artist, (The) Forever Dream is a testament to growth and the freedoms brought about by past successes.
Anakin’s latest is a pure love letter to Hip-hop while maintaining an undeniable individuality. The soulful outing feels like a victory lap for the artist, a subtle brag from a young veteran who, so young in their career, seemingly has very little left to prove. (The) Forever Dream finds Anakin exploring the nuances of his approach and fearlessly entering uncharted waters, challenging the artist to reinvent himself. This is not the Anakin we heard on 2022’s Frank, the artist’s last solo effort. Anakin sounds like he is having fun on this album, and the energy is palpable. The evolution is clear from the jump, with the LP kicking off with the animated “Good Clothes,” an infectiously melodic and braggadocious welcome to (The) Forever Dream. The album’s intro showcases Anakin’s ability to seamlessly transition between throat-scratching, venomous verses and hypnotic crooning, hinting at the acrobatic vocals that fill the LP.
This review could go on and on about the natural chemistry of the collaborations that fill out (The) Forever Dream, and while posse cuts like “NOTTOOSHABBY” and the Lojii-assisted “CheckOnMe” are tremendous songs that continue to highlight Anakin’s multi-faceted approach, it is the moments where Anakin flies solo that truly showcase his growth. Moments like the mesmerizing “Lil One,” the twinkling pianos and organs of the title track, and the jazzy single “The Times” are what make this album such a unique chapter in Anakin’s already colorful discography. Anakin uses these moments to emphasize his chorus-writing abilities, an element of his artistry that hasn’t been explored this deeply on his previous LPs. Even with moments like The Alchemist-produced “Corner Pocket,” which also features the album’s executive producer and a fantastic verse from Bbymutha, Anakin uses these collaborative moments as a platform for his uniqueness.
(The) Forever Dream hints at all the intricacies and sonic shifts that built Anakin’s unique sound while expanding on these ideas to introduce the listener to a new side of the artist, one that is fearless in his approach and confident in his lofty visions. (The) Forever Dream is more than another feather in Anakin’s cap; it is a statement piece, a warning for his peers that, if they don’t keep up, he will show no hesitation in leaving them behind. Anakin and Chris carefully pieced together what is already sounding like a modern Hip-hop classic by trusting in each other’s visions and molding their ideas together to create a towering, abstract album that is bold, honed, and unforgettable.
