Some real thought and energy has gone into every aspect of this album. It’s what you need in this day and age to stand out from the rest and this debut does so well. Lucid Hiest is Isiah Ngawaka from Hawkes Bay – rapper, singer and producer, and this is an independent release from Voodoo Creation Records. From drum ‘n bass to some more laid back trap tracks the songwriting and effect placements are stand out. The juxtaposition of the characters on the artwork reflects the music with each track showcasing different parts of his forte. It has some apparent influences such as Salmonella Dub/Tiki vibes and a little Outkast feel. A very New Zealand electronic sound gives it that point of difference for travelling the rest of the world. Lucid Hiest will be getting called up for all sorts of feature spots once publicists hear this album. The only part that may be a put off is the referencing of females as ‘bitches’? For me it’s a distraction within an otherwise tight cohesive flow. Isiah will hopefully keep developing his own kaupapa, letting go of some Americanised lyrics and honing in his own sound. I’d be keen to hear some te reo Māori vocals in this style. ‘Absence in Motion’ is a great album all-round especially for an upcoming artist.