Reviews
Black Stax Release Debut Album, “Talking Buildings”
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Oftentimes artists from Seattle are overlooked, so we fail to see what musicians from this region have to offer. But Black Stax stands out, blending neo-soul, blues, and hip hop to create a sound very much their own, exposing the world to the sounds of Seattle’s underground with their debut album, Talking Buildings.
In Talking Buildings, Black Stax, consisting of singer Felicia Loud and rappers Silas Black and Jace ECAJ, features production from a variety of Seattle based producers: Big Zo, Vitamin D, Amp Fire, King Otto, Jake One, Proh Mic, Rob Castro, BarFly and Mr. Hill.
Stax, taking their name from the legendary record label Stax Records, serves to display their collective personality as a group rather than as individual members, although each individual member stands out in their own way, while expressing a ragged, gritty sound.
The lead single, I Love My Life, truly stood out. On this track, Felicia Loud sings over hand claps, smooth drums, and a synthesizer, her voice perfectly matching the melody. The song’s message is resounds: although we may go through 
hardship and experience struggles, we wouldn’t change a thing (as the song repeats). On this track Loud stands alone, the solo giving her the opportunity to showcase her vocals and styles, hidden within songs on the album. Loud’s vocals and delivery are similar to singer Syleena Johnson.
Another of the album’s standouts is the Proh Mic produced They Want Me, where Silas and Jace call attention to their flow and acknowledge their fans. As the track begins, they let the beat build, allowing the listener to enjoy the music itself before going right in. Their face-paced style of attack on this track was unique, though their rhymes, at times, outpaced the beat. On this track, group member Felicia Loud only chimes in to deliver the title verse. The track had a very Soulquarian feel, something you’d come to expect from a Common, Roots, or Talib Kweli album.
Although their sound is unique, Black Stax is very reminiscent of some forms of contemporary hip hop today. Unlike many independent debuts, Talking Buildings successfully elevates their sound beyond the underground, making Black Stax’s music available to a wide array of hip hop fans. Those who enjoy music from artists like The Roots, Common, and The Fugees would enjoy this album.
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