Capitol Christian Music Group
Release Date: July 23rd 2021
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Social Club Misfits– Feared By Hell (Reanimation) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Is That Okay? (feat. Lecrae)
- Conmigo (feat. Sam Rivera, Jay-Kalyl & Samuel Ash)
- Without You [Abe Parker Remix] (feat. Riley Clemmons)
- Luau (feat. Hulvey) [Juicebangers Remix]
- To The Top (feat. 1K Phew) [OddKidOut Remix]
- God On My Side (feat. Ty Brasel) [Me & The Boys Remix]
If I had to pick one artist that has had a big year over the past few years, in terms of their career, it’d have to be Social Club Misfits. A rap/hip-hop duo comprised of best friends Fern and Marty, these two rappers have a big heart for Jesus, and were signed to Capitol Christian Music Group around about four years ago. The Misadventures Of Fern And Marty was the duo’s label debut; and released in 2017 to moderate success; yet it was only in 2018 that Into The Night propelled them to greater heights and to stardom. And while I myself haven’t been that much of an avid listener of any rap artist in general, Social Club Misfits have changed my outlook on this genre, along with artists like PEABOD, Lecrae, Group 1 Crew, KB and Andy Mineo. It’s hard not to love Fern and Marty’s music after hearing both give powerful testimonies- and I’m sure when you guys watch these videos too; you’ll be blessed! While we as a site unfortunately never reviewed Into The Night; the duo have quickly unveiled their fresh, reinvigorating and extremely poppy EP MOOD, and its companion darker and moody EP DOOM in 2019- and this batch of two EP’s, which was bundled together as an album late last year; won Rap Album at the Dove Awards in 2020. So even though now you might have expected Fern and Marty to tour this release… this didn’t happen, because in October last year, the new album Feared By Hell released. And yes, it’s so soon cause of COVID-19! Fear By Hell boasts 12 tracks, while 8 of the 12 have guest vocals- and yes, this means that the group has dropped 4 albums in 4 years (1 album each in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020!). And while we have reviewed Feared By Hell here, the duo have since released Feared By Hell (Reanimation) last week. It’s a remix EP that reimagines some of their songs from Feared By Hell in a new light. And so let’s dive in to see whether these remixes are actually any good or not, shall we?
The album opener “Is That Okay”, this time with Lecrae adding in his usual intense beats, is elevated so, so much, whereby Marty doubles down on the some of the hangups that the Christian music industry has, declaring that he reckons that Social Club Misfits will never be famous in CCM, and he and Fern are strangely ok with that; while Latin and Caribbean flavoured “Conmigo” (Spanish for “With Me”) is largely the same as the original version (except for the addition of Sam Rivera), and is a love song dedicated to the duo’s significant others- such a joy to dance and move to. “Without You”, one of my favourite songs from Social Club Misfits… should actually be categorised as a Riley Clemmons song… as the new remix track improves upon this studio track in spades! Immensely worshipful in nature, this track is the group at their most vulnerable and honest, relaying that they are lost without God, that ‘…without You, I’m just a house of cards ’bout to fall down, without You, I’m pretty sure I’d crumble right to the ground, that’s why I’m holding on so tight, ’cause You are the anchor of my life, and I’m nothing without You, I’m nothing without You…’. And as we worship God, and admit that we need Him more than we would even normally care to admit, the duo and Riley (and Abe Parker too!) create an artistic masterpiece; one that you all need to listen to, if only to be motivated and inspired only for a little bit.
“Luau” is still one of the most nonsensical songs I’ve ever heard Social Club Misfits ever record- yet there’s still something about this song that makes it such an earworm. it’s a catchy song about having a good time and going outdoors, and Hulvey’s presence here is enjoyable and formidable at the same time. And boy, even in 2021 don’t we need songs about what used to be, am I right? The highly musically frenetic “To The Top” features 1K Phew, and is remixed here with even more musical craziness (in a good way!), with the melody delving into the duo’s desire to reach the top in their influence, and be a light for Jesus in this darkened world; while Feared By Hell (Reanimation) ends with “God On My Side”, and has the duo feeling confident about success and overcoming adversity, simply because God is on their side. It’s not the most inventive song title out there though…
Feared By Hell from Social Club Misfits is definitely something special, as it’s an album that musically is quite diverse but still like SCM- and it’s these songs, that will be on the ears and lips of listeners for a while yet- and it helps too that Fern and Marty aren’t forgetting their Christian faith and are letting us know that Jesus is still the centre of their lives. As the group have recorded 4 albums already, and have always walked the line between rap and CCM/pop; I am forever a fan of Social Club Misfits now… and that is in part thanks to Feared By Hell– but more-so with feared By Hell (Reanimation). So, what are you waiting for? Social Club Misfits are going to take off in ways you could maybe never imagine, so I suggest you jump on the bandwagon right now and be amazed!
3 songs to listen to: Is That Okay, Without You, To The Top
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: TobyMac, Lecrae, KB, Mat Kearney, Kirk Franklin, Stars Go Dim