Forged from a dysfunctional home life, struggles with mental health, toxic relationships and finding the strength to overcome them, Bad Actress is a melodic and honest album confronts sensitive issues, rather than hiding behind them. Minneapolis rap artist Joshua Turner AKA Dem Atlas, spent time as a poet, a painter and even fronted a rock band before finding his calling in his home town's rap scene and those creative roots shine through on this very diverse album.
The hefty angst of Tomorrow Party is balanced against the laid-back lyricism of Early Train; the record is a roller coaster of emotions that oscillates between being high and crashing down to earth. Gratitude's carefree rhythms have an instant appeal – enough to take him mainstream while Bad Loves Company throws in some smooth jazz influences before dropping an addictive hip-hop beat. It's pretty schizophonic, but this 'Forrest Gump' style tracklist keeps things musically exciting: you literally never know what you're going to get. Alongside the variety of sounds from grime to rock, there is a 90s boom-bap drum style that gives the LP a commercial appeal while, his brazen and soulful vocal keeps the music grounded.
Stylish, passionate and versatile, Dem Atlas is an artist who is unafraid to follow his creativity rather than musical trends.
Groupie Rating 4/5
