NACHO SUAVE "IGNACIO EP" REVIEW
“The Ignacio” EP by Nacho Suave.
B&E Music hit the ground running to begin 2021. The St. Paul label sprinkled multiple singles from I/O the ProssessR in January along with another EP release from J. PRYNGLZ to begin the month of February. However, there seems to be a main focal point; the announcement of Nacho Suave’s “Ignacio EP.”
Since Nacho’s last release, the emcee has gone through exceptional growth. He still picks up the pen and pad, but now he makes time to hit the keys and crank out beats. In a short time, Nacho has managed to add a crucial facet to his resume. By learning a different trade, you’re surely able to grow your quality and overall depth of music. Nacho shares this in the eight-track EP: two of which he produced himself along with five from Minnesota Cold and a final one from labelmate Jake PM.
“Ignacio EP” is an interesting choice of title. Ignacio is Spanish for fire; the nickname associated with this name is none other than Nacho, and Nacho Suave certainly brings the heat with this project. With a handful of in-house features peppered throughout, the vintage samples and natural drums add the perfect pinch of salt, while Nacho tops it off with the habanero; the classic emceeing adds the final spice.
The intro to the EP is more than cool, however. MC-produced, Nacho glides over this production. The intro feels more like a re-introduction as Nacho gets you acquainted with the sound and direction of the project while introducing himself, spelling it out for you:
“N-A-C-H-O Suave/
All Day.”
“City of Lights” is an exception pertaining to the overall sound of the project. With a light-hearted synth riff and continuous drums, Nacho gives a nod to the city that constantly inspires him. Both Nacho and I/O use the metaphor of the city lights as their muse. The light attracts them and brings along even better moments under it. This a symbiotic relationship between the city and its contributing inhabitants, is summed up in Nacho’s line:
“I wanna stay forever and just take in the sights/
And rock mics in the shitty weather/
It makes the city better/
That’s why we never leave.”
“Tie-Dye” sounds like how the title implies, with varying sounds starting with grand instrumentation that blends into a smooth easy riding beat; like flamboyant bright colors melting with cool blues. Nacho uses this track to deliver a love letter to Mary Jane. Walrus the Human plays the perfect complementary role in this track as he serenades you with depictions of puffing healthy amounts of that good-good. With a melodic Walrus and an almost sensual beat, Nacho gives us a sexy ode to the flower.
After the smoke session, we are ushered into the body of the project with “The Favorite Disappointment.” Now that Nacho has distracted you with bright lights and hot pipes, he sits your high ass down to focus on a more serious perspective. As the first three tracks seem to steadily go uphill, with a brighter bounce and a harmony of euphoric experiences, the fourth descends towards a valley of introversion. Nacho juggles the dichotomy of his family’s dynamic, whether they be blood or not, the double standards paired with the irony of love and family show presence on the forefront of Nacho’s mind. This can even be seen in the title itself; Favorite Disappointment is the stamp Nacho put upon himself from his mixed memories of acceptance and despondency. Over dark, tantalizing guitar howls and lead-heavy drums, this track comes in as a favorite.
Next, we stumble upon what could be Nacho Sauve’s last letter. Nacho pens a final message to Whom It May Concern. Whoever finds this letter will read upon his final thoughts. Nacho conveys the mind-numbing depression and isolation he’s experienced, along with his desire to cut it all short. He expresses his eagerness to see his family and friends again but insists he must go. My favorite moment on this project appears in this track’s final seconds. In the last sentence of the letter, Nacho states:
“Now it’s time for Nacho to hear the last snare.”
Immediately after the conclusion of this sentence, all instruments seize… Besides one. A snare expends a hauntingly delayed percuss.
“Director’s Cut” slaps you back into a good mood almost instantly as M.I.S.T.A LEGACY bellows:
“Can I get away/
From the negativity?!”
The trio consisting of Born Hated and Nacho Suave delivers some organic hip-hop over a cheerful piano chop. The three verses by each emcee carry experiences of humor and comedy. The realm of comedy is paid homage to as the three show how the humor of everything from comedians to their own jokes holds strong focal points in their lives. Plus, LEGACY has this gem of a line:
“This past week/
her jokes are nuttier than tube socks.”
Classic.
“Lessons” isn’t a song about someone, but for someone. Nacho Sauve sits his nephew down and shares his sorrowful, but honest, knowledge. Nacho reassures him the world is for his grasp but warns of the bitter cold indifference it could dole out. The greatest, most important line of this project inhabits this song. Nacho tells his nephew:
“Failure is only feedback
And a narrow mind will never see that/
But for you, sometimes, you’re gonna need that.”
I think we can all use that lesson.
And for the finale, the very single to roll out the “Ignacio EP. “ Nacho’s RnB meet-cute story “Bus Stop Queen” delivers a boyish charm to wrap things up. With Skydro contributing a delightful ballad of a chorus and one vivid story of a verse, the B&E buds curate an ode to their crushes at the bus stop. This song has a special feel to it. Both Nacho and Skydro carry much sentiment in their lyrics and performance. Life in the city might have you spending plenty of time on public transit, so you never know who you’ll run into.
From bus stops to city lights, Nacho lives up to the name and the title. “Ignacio EP” certainly has some fire to it. Seeing the fire grow for Nacho, I’m excited to see how he will feed it.
”The Ignacio EP” is set to release on February 10th. In the meantime, check the single “Bus Stop Queen” ft. Skydro.
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Review by: Paul Thorson, Hip-Hop Writer @PaulyT03
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
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