The Furnace is the second full length album from West Melbourne MC Fluent Form. A staunch, 14-track offering, it’s dropped on Melbourne imprint Crate Cartel with distribution from Obese. The depth and diversity of lyricism is top shelf for an album of this hue. Whether conceptual or anecdotal or just straight, in-ya-face, battle rhymes, Fluent keeps it cohesive with an accomplished flow as well as a discrete tone. The Furnace also boasts an impressive line-up of guests: Brad Strut, Ciecmate, Mata, Must, 1/6, Fatty Phew, Maundz, Raven and Geko-a distinguished cross-section of Melbourne talent.
Short Stories is a despairing account of various sordid life situations. Fluent exhibits the desperation of a young woman resorting to oldest profession in the world as well as an entrepreneurial drug fiend. The epicurean dalliances of both man and woman ultimately lead to their downfalls. A sonorous piano loop, swirling string section and a rigid drum loop accompany the destructive anecdotes. Though it would have been nice to hear K21 incorporate some more of the sorrowful choir sample throughout. Fluent Form excels once more on Paper Chase Days. Following an intro of typical rap hustle, he discusses the various means of subsistence afforded to a centrelink-funded recording artist. The lyricism is propelled by a scathing mentality towards the critical dollars. The track is filled with quotables. “…Not a major in any occupation…” along with the effective hook are revealing and instantly relatable. Take Notice is a highlight of The Furnace. Ciecmate handles production as well as dropping a verse. The beat is on that villainous tip listeners have come to expect from the man. Another menacing strings and piano combo compliments the verses from Brad Strut, Ciecmate and Fluent. Strut opens with an ostensibly simple 16 bars. Multisyllabic rhymes are broken down with an ease of delivery. Kilo from Art Of War also makes an appearance with some super nice cuts.
The style of production that powers The Furnace is appropriate though it was somewhat of a tease to be eased into proceedings by the soulful riffs of Spit Surgeon. Perhaps the album could have strengthened with a more balanced distribtuion of production, as things get a little bogged down in the guts of it. The touches of Doc Felix and Must on Authorized and 4 Aces breath some fresh air into The Furnace later on. The disparity of beats is no more apparent than with successive tracks Spit Surgeon and Every Step. The Furnace is a exemplary album, Fluent Form is an MC to keep an ear out for.
