Musically / visually shocking antics from Die Antwoord is a given, and the group’s fourth full-length, Mount Ninja And Da Nice Time Kid, is no different (just peep the cover for starters). The first half of the 16-tracker, with tracks like “U Like Boobies?,” “We Have Candy,” and “Banana Brain,” are also full of crude, twisted humor Ninja and Visser have always reveled in, and the rap-rave goes into full swing with nimble beat switch-ups and intense synth works. What’s different about this 4th project from the mind-boggling zef posse is how personal it all gets, especially on the more chilled-out (relatively speaking) second half of the LP. Peep songs like “Darkling”: “But when I sing my momma’s lullaby, I don’t wanna die but I don’t know why, why Mommy didn’t want me.” Delivered through Visser’s freakishly ethereal voice, the track reveals a different side of Die Antwoord, which is refreshing. Another new thing done on Mount Ninji is the fact that group worked with an outside producerDJ Muggs (yes, of Cypress Hill / Soul Assassins). The organic partnership has resulted in the gritty-LA-gloom driving production on tracks like “Jonah Hill” and “Shit Just Go Real,” which works surprisingly well with the South African duo’s steez.

• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Zef Recordz 2016

reviewed by nakaveli 10/2017

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