AKA Ellio “The Darkest Corner of the Room”

This is indeed a dark album indicative of it’s title. Saturated in melancholy, AKA Ellio flirts with death, and has a knack for evoking emotional compositions permeated with malaise. He has sonically embraced the Lo-Fi despondent sound, and masterfully implies this attribute to engage an audience influencing the listener to empathize with his story. The Prince George’s County, Maryland native delivers a chilling performance, producing a conceptual album. Bear in mind, conceptual albums are very difficult to execute, weaving together a narrative and incorporating different facets to form a fluid piece, requires one who carefully pays attention to details. In addition, one who incorporates different element of one theme, into a seamless thread finding innovative ways to keep the listener engaged while omitting monotony. AKA Ellio tethers that line on his latest full length release titled “The Darkest Corner of the Room”.

The intro “I Just Want You To Know” is very cryptic with ambiguous messaging reversed vocals in the background while affirmations are repeated over and over in the opener. 

 “The Darkest Corner of the Room” boasts a clean acoustic guitar riff that serenades the listener as a soft ghastly vocal sample lightly croons “just hold me” in the background. AKA unveils his ruminating thoughts. His conscience takes center stage as he delineates thoughts of suicide, and finding refuge through writing. The Maryland artist raps “the darkest little corner it needed some light, the chalk in my hand, I began to write”. AKA Ellio delves into a captivating story of heartache. 

“Runaway” follows, finding the artist enlisting his first feature of the album Jesse Oldelli. Driven by haunting piano keys, an indistinct vocal sample, the production is minimalistic and purposeful. Championing the pariahs and those misunderstood Ellio offers himself as refuge.

Which then sequences into “Fake Smiles”. This song finds the artist utilizing a quicker tempo. The production is equipped with a fierce kick drum and trap influenced hihats. The P.G. County representer depicts thoughts of an individual who’s treated like an outsider “face down lost my face count, had a rough day now I’m spaced out, seeing all these fake smiles, all these fake smiles”.

The next selection “Overthinking” features Nyx, BDJ. The featured artists take centerstage complementing the D.C. artist as he hitherto proves his captivating ability to create Lo-Fi anthems. By this point themes of the album start to overlap as the listener can begin to fully grasps the concept of the album.

Meandering into “Billie’s Interlude” a notable selection on the album primarily due to the Billie Eilish sample that’s both sped up, and than slowed, giving it a chilling vibe. Another selection which finds the artist self loathing over pain from a past relationships. Once again showcasing an adept ability to create resonating music for the downcast.

“The Clouds Were Gray When I Wrote This” is a cleverly weaved poem featuring rain drops in the background serving as a prelude into the next selection conveniently titled “Reignfall” This song which sees Jesse Oldelli making a second appearance on the album alongside AhmAhn. The flow and cadence is delivered in rapid succession as each artists brings it, offering compelling verses. Commenced by Jesse who opens with a barrage of lyrical ammunition both figuratively and literally. Followed by AhmAhn who produces a slew of clever metaphors rapping “lead shower every minute every hour of the day, aint no umbrella going to save you when there’s no running from pain, like New Edition is asking you ‘Can You Stand The Rain’ with all these clouds in the sky, can’t see no sun for days”. Reiterating the metaphorical use of rain as pain AKA ties it all in together while revealing the way out “Listen God, Listen God this right here is my testament, the rain just keeps on falling as a sign of your benevolence, ironic as it sounds look at all the tears you wash away... Held that mirror to my face, I no longer feel disgrace”.

“Poem, Keep Going” is an introspective record reflecting on the choices made and once again offering encouragement to keep going. This record marks the eureka moment, where the light starts to overtake the darkness.

Which is then followed by”...That You Are Not Alone” which is an actual poem culminating the album’s intentions. AKA Ellio is meticulous in the sequencing of the album as the artist unveils himself traversing from the abyss to shedding light on “The Darkest Corner of the Room”. A bonus record titled “From The Heart” is offered and divulges a diverse style with Ellio rhyming over a more light spirited composition.

Navigating intermittent bouts of depression with angst towards an ex love, battling depression, and self loathing, AKA Ellio in “The Darkest Corner of the Room” is enlightened, finding the light within. Subsequently, illuminating a whole new world worth living in, and this discovery has compelled him to bring others along on the journey. Although this album is filled with dark themes, God and faith are tenets present throughout the album.

Coupled with sincerity and vulnerability in his lyrical approach, the overall mood is somber, with haunting pianos and guitar riffs. Muffled background vocals personifying his bottled up emotions which have now found a voice through music. The production is downbeat, Lo-Fi, acoustic, minimalistic, and straightforward. Which coincides with the honesty emoted, and his rapping style. The Maryland artist has a very methodical sound, cadence, and concept worth illuminating. In “The Darkest Corner of the Room” AKA Ellio discovers his keen ability to create manifestos for the desolate.