both feet en th infinite

Washington, D.C.-based Model Home's improvised, anarchist hip-hop exists as an outlet for raw, unfiltered expression, making no attempts to fit in with a linear structure or mirror any prevailing trends. NAPPYNAPPA's stream-of-consciousness vocals are frequently modulated with cartoonish voice processors, and Pat Cain's electronics scramble and slur, with low-bit waves buzzing from underneath junkshop rhythm boxes. The duo have self-issued over a dozen albums, with One Year collecting some of the most mind-warping tracks from their earliest releases, and Versions Returned offering further dubbed-out variations on His Name Is Alive's beat-heavy mixtape Return Versions. Like Model Home's 2020 LP SE, both feet en th infinite features additional drums from Dolo Percussion (aka Maxmillion Dunbar of Beautiful Swimmers), and it ventures a little closer to dance music than some of the duo's numerically titled releases. "Night Break" is a sort of drowsy avant-disco track, with bass effects that grimace rather than guide listeners onto the dancefloor, and an untamed horn squawking in the background as NAPPYNAPPA gets lost in the rhythm and chants a line related to the track's title. "Body Power" has slamming beats closer to mid-school rap, with effects gleefully scattering the vocals, and glockenspiel pings providing an unexpectedly cute touch. "Crux of et All" is like a muddy, sludgy free-form interpretation of Native Tongues-era jazz-rap, and "Ambition" is a psychedelic go-go soul jam that culminates in a series of exuberant shout-outs. While just as inscrutable and quasared-out as other Model Home releases, both feet en th infinite is a reminder that the duo's unconstrained abstractions can be incredibly fun and liberating. ~ Paul Simpson