A short potted history of the group know as Felt:
Living Legends rapper Murs teamed up with Atmosphere’s wordsmith Slug to form a side-project named Felt. 2002 – Felt: A Tribute To Christina Ricci was released, produced entirely by Living Legends member The Grouch. 2005 – Felt 2: A Tribute To Lisa Bonet was released, produced entireley by Atmosphere’s Ant. So, 2009 arrives and Felt 3 is on its way, with the production duties originally shrouded in mystery but recently revealed as being handled by Aesop Rock.
This track, Protagonists, is the teaser track with both Murs and Slug going in hard with the Minneapolis rapper throwing in a sung chorus [we all know how he loves to do that once in a while]. The build up in the intro gets the hype
“What you gonna do when we come through? / Hit undo, whatever you must do / Stay fly, get high and fuck you” raps Slug in an opening gambit which lays opposition immediately to the floor, with his LA counterpart continuing the braggadocia by acknowledging that Felt are your favourite group, without even being a proper group.
The guitar hook flits across the drums and subtly squeaking details with both rappers gliding along, making it seem casual and easy being the best around. If the rest of the album is as good as this track, then Felt 3 is gatecrashing the album of the year list.
Jak Bet.