Pro Dillinger’s 7th Album “Dirtwave” Prod. by Futurewave Surpasses “Pray for My Prey” For Being His Best Material (Album Review)

Haverstraw, New York emcee Pro Dillinger surprise-releasing his 7th studio LP. A member of the Umbrella collective as well as 1/2 of The Steiner Brothers, he has released a total of 5 mixtapes along with his last 5 albums & even 7 EPs. Favorites include the Finn-produced debut Pray for My Prey, the Machacha-produced Dirt Don’t Hurt, his 3rd EP MOSFoul, the Sting vs. Flair collab EP with Mickey Diamond & the Steiner Brothers’ eponymous debut. Dirty Work celebrated it’s 1-year anniversary earlier this summer & the dirtiest of the Umbrella brought Sean Kelly back to handle production for Reasonable Dirt much like Forever Foul, but is coming off the Don’t Feed the Animal EP by enlisting Futurewave for the highly anticipated Dirtwave.

“Still Here” is this soulful opener with Pro talking about everyone tryna rap out here actin’ weird in addition to there being a difference between men & mice whereas “Summer Smoke” takes the boom bap route instrumentally wantin’ it all & mobbin’ out. “Gun Play” maintains a dusty vibe altogether to talk about being strapped prior to “Magic” hopping over more perfectly crafted boom bap production flexing that he had to throw away his old bitch & not to fuck with him.

Daniel Son appears on “No Loyalty” to angrily call out everyone in the streets who’re disloyal just before “Target Him” featuring Blakkito spaciously makes it clear you ain’t dirt if you ain’t down with the gang. “Flower” gives off a magical boom bap edge showing his love for the Bonnie to his Clyde while “Back Home” by The Steiner Brothers talks about elevating over kicks, snares & a soul sample. “Say So” rightfully asserting Dirtwave’s masterpiece status & “Power Trippin’” ends it by discussing counting differently.

I’ve given Futurewave his props for being one of the greatest underground producers in recent memory plenty of times before & as I had expected, Dirtwave here has now surpassed Pray for My Prey in becoming my favorite body of work in Pro Dillinger’s discography. The production is as perfectly consistent as the previously mentioned debut if not taken to newer heights, I like that they’re only 3 guests & the Haverstraw lyricist himself goes harder than he did on his last 2 offerings.

Score: 9/10

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