Adelaide rap veteran Claz returns with his third studio album 'The Son of Lilian', his most personal body of work to date.
Having been solidified in the scene for a decade now, this latest offering marks the start of a new era in his career, propelled by the bumpy roads of adversity. In early 2020, his constant swash-buckling battle with hyperacusis, a debilitating disorder that increases one's sensitivity to sound, reached its peak after a slew of live shows. As he gradually began to return to recording, with the aid of custom earplugs, news of his mother falling ill rallied more troops in the enemy territory of struggle. Even as he slashes with the sword of his emotions, the frontline of anxiety, vices, and impending hardship strikes back with crushing blows.
However, this didn’t end in Claz going out on his shield, it merely spawned a change in weaponry, as he dropped the sword, and returned to the pen. The goal? To celebrate his mother, cement her legacy, and create a path to giving her the life she deserves.
The result is a collection of 10 songs that dive into the highs and lows of the feelings and memories Claz channelled throughout the recording process. Tracks such as ‘Life is a Beach’ were inspired by his times walking along the shoreline of Semaphore Beach with his mother, engaging in conversations about life, and motivating him to emphasise her importance through lyrical soliloquies. Others like ‘Chiaroscuro’ hearken back to June 2021, where Claz and Lilian embarked on a road trip to Uluru, with the track’s title symbolising the enjoyment of the light, as you travel beyond the dark. Lilian herself is even featured on the title track, singing the hook on a deeply-personal cut that highlights her life story, and using her own lyrics from a song she would sing Claz in his early years of life.
The heart-on-sleeve content of the album is conveyed through the versatile sonics of house, lo-fi hip-hop, and soul-infused boom-bap. Producers like Rela, Kirby, and Jay Orient all contribute to the myriad of sounds, while back up vocals from Adelaide songstress Ruru help enhance the album’s story. It’s a direct evolution from the sounds of Claz’s previous albums 'Before I Forget' and 'The Beautiful Distraction', showcasing him at his best as an emcee, and as a storyteller.
The Son Of Lilian’s release was celebrated at a listening party on the 3rd of November at 1000 Island in Adelaide, resulting in a room at full capacity and a big line waiting to get inside the venue. A vinyl release of the project is slated in the coming months, while shows are being planned for 2022. Speaking on finalising the emotional journey of this project, Claz states: “Without a shadow of a doubt this is my truest project, and as much I hope it succeeds and reaps the fruits of its labour as it deserves, just having it out in the universe is a massive release and weight off my back that fame nor money can hardly rival. It's a token of the love I have for my mum, and a truly diverse manifesto of light and dark, merged together by hope and hard work.”
credits
released November 8, 2021
First and foremost, this is for my mum, Lilian Caraca. Thank you for your everlasting love and eternal strength. Love from your son, Clarence.
All tracks written and performed by Claz.
Track 1 - Son Rise - Produced by Claz & Kirby.
Track 2 - Adelaide Alchemy - Produced by Kirby, with backup vocals from Coast & Ocean.
Track 3 - No Sleep - Produced by Plainrikki & Kirby, with backup vocals from Ruru.
Track 4 - House ‘N’ Trust - Produced by Kirby.
Track 5 - Like Damn - Produced by Claz & Kirby.
Track 6 - Chiaroscuro - Produced by Jay Orient.
Track 7 - One Time - Produced by Rela, with piano played by Beka Gochiashvili.
Track 8 - Timeless - Produced by Eric Spice.
Track 9 - Life is a Beach - Produced by Kirby & Glasshouse, with guitar played by Kirby.
Track 10 - The Son Of Lilian Ft. Lilian - Produced by Kirby & Claz, with saxophone played by AJ Janus.
All songs recorded, mixed and mastered by Kirby. Art direction by Nick Astanei. Presented by Terrace Co.
Honourable mentions to Kevin Mendoza, Henry Owens & K21 for their contributions to the album.
Thank you to all the fans for the unwavering support over the years, and a warm welcome to all the new listeners, your presence here is greatly appreciated.
Yours truly, The Son of Lilian.
