If you’re a frequenter of this site, you’ve already read one review of Mickey Factz’ EP, The Dark Phoenix #Alpha. Of course, it was Factz’ own take on the proceedings, complete with esoteric explanations on the deep metaphorical significance of each track. Unfortunately for Factz, a more unbiased listen reveals not some game changing philosophical opus, but an incomplete mishmash of alterna-rap styles that sounds more like a poor imitation of recent albums than the blueprint for the Next Big Thing.

Factz has talent as a rapper and an engaged vocal style that shows self-belief. But on Dark Phoenix he’s often overwhelmed by mediocre beats, and unable to salvage them into good tracks. He shows off his spitting skills on the peppy “Amnesia,” but the screechy electro effects would sound better as torture instruments in a Chinese prison. Factz also embraces the neo-emo movement on the second half of the project, and the results aren’t pretty. “Contemplations of Kings” attempts to be a motivational treatise, but the out-of-place, celestial vibe deflates rather than uplifts. Factz doesn’t help the cause either with mundane stream of consciousness wordplay that barely stays on beat.

Therein lies the problem with The Dark Phoenix: its attempting to be an experimental record, but lack of innovation exposes the weaknesses of said experimentation. There’s nothing wrong with leading an album with a 6 minute track (Kanye’s “Say You Will” comes to mind,) but it better be something that knocks your socks off. Opener “Sunrise,” does anything but, opening with frivolous, repurposed Avatar theme music. The actual meat of the song, featuring Mickey orating on the changes needs in our society today, isn’t half bad, but it’s buried under the misguided intro and outro.

There are moments, such as the introspective “Ashes,” where Factz shows the potential that caused his buzz in the first place. But until he abandons his experimental leanings or finds a way to focus them into a more cohesive project, potential is all he’ll have to offer.

Download — Mickey Factz – Thedarkphoenix: #ALPHA