Shape is a rapper from West Orange, New Jersey, who has redefined the modern day rap community in America. Shape recently released his new 15 track album entitled “The Glass House” through D.E. Records and this album easily surpasses any other album Shape has released, or any other rap album I have listened to.

Right off of the bat, I noticed that this album was not like any other rap album I have listened to. Most songs do not even have that famous boom of a bass drum that almost every modern rap song has. For example, the first and title track “Glass House” has strange flutes in the background that sound like they are from one of Shakespeare’s plays.

Instead of using bass, Shape relies on his rhyme scheme to grab your attention and keep you hungry for more. The chorus of the fourth track ‘Ruthless As’ has been playing over and over in my head from the first time I heard it: “We in the mood to do this, if I was throwing disses in this verse would you wonder if the shoe fits? Who could possibly do this as ruthless as D.E. stupid? You prove it.”

Shape can also easily switch from rapping to singing in a matter of seconds and make it sound natural. On the third track “Skin” a piano plays constantly in the background while a snare drum claps which makes an interesting beat that Shape raps over. During the chorus the snare drum stops, and Shape stops rapping and starts to sing. This could have gone wrong in many ways yet the timing was completely correct which made this one of my favorite songs on the album.

The first time I heard the tenth track “No Anger” I was unsure if I enjoyed it or not. The song had such a strange beat to it. It sounds like something that a snake charmer would play, yet after multiple listens I realized that this uniqueness made this song amazing. Not to mention I could hear the emotion pouring out of Shape’s mouth with each word he spoke. He expressed his beliefs not to let anyone provoke you and control your fear which is a  positive message that I’m sure is influential to many listeners.

Shape’s “The Glass House” is by far my favorite rap album. Not only is it unique, but every time I listen to it, it feels like my first time all over again. It never gets old. The emotional lyrics made me feel as if I was in Shape’s shoes. The strange beats were unconventional, yet interesting at the same time and I always found myself coming back for more. I recommend “The Glass House” to anyone that enjoys rap music.