Review: Brodinski Releases His Debut ‘Brava’ LP

Most people know Brodinski as the French techno tastemaker and head of Bromance Records — the label and collective that has been home to artists such as Gesaffelstein, Lousiahhh!!!, Maelstrom, Club Cheval, Monsieur Monsieur and more. What many techno-heads and club goers may not know is Brodinski has expanded upon these accolades to include hip-hop DJ-producer as well.

Ever since beginning to perform DJ sets under his hip-hop moniker The Boogieman, it was clear Brodinski possessed a love for hip-hop. In 2014, he released his “Blue Finessin’” mixtape for Club 75; nearly an hour of hood anthems from the likes of Young Thug, Gucci Mane and Shy Glizzy to name a few. More importantly, Brodinski teamed up with close friend and collaborator Gesaffelstein on Kanye West’s “Send It Up” (Yeezus, 2013) before producing “Mashing” for Gangsta Boo and Beatking in August of 2014. Anyone who might still be unfamiliar with Brodinski's hip-hop side will certainly be well-acquainted with it now, thanks to the release of his debut LP Brava. 

The world had its first taste of the album with the single “I Can’t Help Myself” with rapper SD. This lead single was a slight indicator of the album’s hip-hop orientation. However, the unveiling of the album's tracklist and an accompanying minimix revealed that the album strays far from the techno club-ready sounds that have made him an underground favorite. Brava features tracks alongside established hip-hop artists including Peewee Longway, Bloody Jay, Yung Gleesh, Young Scooter and iLoveMakonnen. Tracks like "Warm Up" with Slim Thug put Brodinski's love for the "Dirty South" rap on clear display, while "51 Bands" with 2$ Fabo and Phlo Finister is a track that would be fit for hip-hop radio play. Even while laying the beats on which the long list of album collaborators shine, it is the fine production and one-of-a-kind sounds Brodinski supplies that create the album's true appeal.

The album's stand out track is his "Need For Speed" with Bloody Jay (who appears on three of the album's tracks) and close friend, frequent collaborator and fellow Bromance flagbearer Louisahhh!!!. It's a techno-infused trap creation that also brings the hip-hop flare the whole album contains, showing that Brodinski has no intention of ceasing the expansion of his sounds, yet will continue to bring the club-friendly weapons his fans have come to expect from him.

Brava is now available on iTunes via Parlophone / Warner Music France. Preview the LP with the minimix above and the album's latest single, "Us" with Bloody Jay below.