Now, I really only started listening to Run the Jewels in earnest when their last record, Run the Jewels 3 was released, so I am new to this fan base. However, that new influx of tunes had me revisiting their older records, along with that Meow the Jewels remix album (fantastic for all cat-lovers to experience). RTJ4 came as a surprise release in a time of chaos and and just general upheaval. It was a nice welcome, but still keeps you rooted in the moment.
Nothing stands out quite as much as “Walking in the Snow,” where the lyrics seem so poignant and relevant to what’s happening right NOW that I was fascinated to learn that the song was written in the fall of 2019. This just proves how blind I am (and many others) to the injustice in this world. Seriously, the verse I’m referring to goes like this: “everyday on evening news they feed you fear for free; And you so numb you watch the cops choke out a man like me; And ’til my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, “I can’t breathe”; And you sit there in the house on couch and watch it on TV; The most you give’s a Twitter rant and call it a tragedy.”
Yes, the innovative beats will keep your head bobbing and dancing, but the lyrics to every song are just as impactful. I implore you to either listen to these songs on repeat or pull the lyrics up for your first listen. Their honesty and hard cold facts will smack you into a reality you may not have seen before this year. Run the Jewels have managed to be both entertainment and an education for a generation that needs it. Lyrics aside, other tracks that stood out to me were “Oh La La” and “Pulling the Pin” which uniquely features Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Mavis Staples. Quite the collaboration! Do yourself a favor, and give this album a listen!