After nearly eight years away from the studio album format, Soluss returns not merely to remind listeners of his capabilities, but to redefine the space he occupies within modern hip-hop. His long-awaited debut studio album “It’s Him” is a dense, immersive and deeply personal body of work that balances razor-sharp lyricism with theatrical flair, emotional weight and fearless experimentation. This is not a comeback fueled by nostalgia. It is a declaration of identity, confidence and survival.
An emcee and producer hailing from Michigan, Soluss has always existed slightly outside the expected. Drawing inspiration from East Coast hip-hop traditions, 80s synth textures, nerd culture aesthetics and even Polish folklore, he crafts music that feels cinematic and intentional. His vocabulary is expansive, his performances commanding, and his pen guided by immersion rather than trend-chasing. In an era where hip-hop often prioritizes vibe over verbal dexterity, Soluss stands as a lyrical architect, building worlds bar by bar.
At its core, “It’s Him” is an album steeped in self-reflection. Themes of confidence, loss, resilience and personal reckoning ripple throughout its fourteen tracks, forming a narrative that feels lived-in rather than performative. This sense of honesty is amplified by the fact that this album represents nearly a decade of growth, patience and refinement. You can hear the time in it. You can feel the weight behind every choice.
The album opens with “Paladin (It’s Him)”, a mission statement wrapped in armor. Here, Soluss introduces himself not as a contender, but as a fully formed presence. His flow cuts with precision, skating across beat changes with the ease of a seasoned tactician. This confidence carries into “Please Understand”, a more introspective turn that peels back bravado to reveal both vulnerability and empowerment beneath the surface.
From there, the album unfolds like a carefully sequenced play. “Rhymes Like Razors” lives up to its title, showcasing technical mastery and verbal sharpness that few of his contemporaries can rival. “Fanatic” featuring Ron1n Sumo injects raw intensity and chemistry, while “Sink When I’m Dead” explores ambition and purpose with an unflinching gaze.
One of the album’s most compelling qualities is its sonic versatility. Soluss is no stranger to beat switches, and “It’s Him” thrives on them. Tracks evolve mid-flight, mirroring the complexity of their subject matter. The slow-burning “Marionette” plays with control and manipulation, while “Baba Yaga” featuring Kayoken pulls from folklore-inspired darkness, blending mythic energy with modern street grit.
One Be Lo & Soluss
The collaborative spirit of Detroit’s underground is woven throughout the album. “Ghosts” featuring Ron1n Sumo is contemporarily haunting, atmospheric and thoroughly banging, while “Wings on a Pigeon” offers a reflective pause, floating on soulful undertones and a relentless vocal flow. “Pay the Fiddler” featuring Mic Jack and AxL Urameshi is a lyrical saga rich with tension and wit, as well as a catchy retro melodic hook. This is followed by the emotionally heavy “Too Sad” featuring C.R.I.M. and Blizzard the Mad Scientist – a track that leans into organic keys and deep basslines without surrendering its hard-hitting edge.
Perhaps the most diverse moment on the album arrives with “Chexmix”. Built around barebones piano, drums and a cutesy show-time melody, the track includes a soundbyte of Soluss’ cat Chex meowing, a subtle yet powerful symbol of companionship and grounding. Chex was by his side throughout the creation of the album, and this detail speaks volumes about the care and intentionality behind the project. Despite its eclectic sonic diversity from the rest of the tracks, “Chexmix” never feels out of place. Instead, it humanizes the album, reminding listeners that even the most formidable lyricists create from deeply personal and stripped down spaces.
The energy ramps back up with “MCWS” featuring Ron1n Sumo and loudly banging drums, before closing on “Delroy” featuring Beezy Brown and Mic Jack, a vintage-influenced finale that feels both reflective and resolved. Each featured artist, including Blizzard the Mad Scientist, AntBell!, Crim, Axl, Mic Jack, Ron1n Sumo, Kayoken, Xlo, AxL Urameshi and Beezy Brown, contributes meaningfully without overshadowing the album’s central vision. This is clearly Soluss’ world, but he invites others in with purpose.
Clocking in at just under thirty-five minutes, “It’s Him” is concise yet substantial. Fourteen tracks pass quickly, but they leave a lasting impression. The production is lushly layered, filled with hard-hitting beats, dark and haunting auras, and soulful melodic interludes. Every arrangement feels deliberate, every transition earned. Above it all reigns Soluss’ voice, commanding and adaptable, bending effortlessly across flows and intonations with high-wire precision.
What makes “It’s Him” truly remarkable is how effortlessly it sustains its ambition. It feels expansive without overstaying its welcome, immersive without indulgence. To call it effortless would be misleading, because the skill and craftsmanship on display are unmistakable. This is the sound of an artist who took his time, refined his vision, and returned with something cerebral, challenging and undeniably impactful.
With this album and its defining sonic traits, Soluss proves that his scope is larger than traditional hip-hop power structures, yet still deeply respectful of them. He satisfies purists while pushing boundaries, offering an experience that is both wildly entertaining and intellectually engaging. There is maturity here, clever detail, and a refined flair that signals an artist operating at full capacity.
Simply put, “It’s Him” stands among the finest independent hip-hop records of the year and it will certainly mark a pivotal chapter in Soluss’ future discography. It is a bold reintroduction, a personal manifesto, and a reminder that lyricism, when wielded with intention and imagination, still has the power to stop time. Soluss is not just back. He has arrived.
OFFICIAL LINKS: www.solussmusic.com – @solussmusic on all socials
