Madon’ takes listeners on a visceral journey through the meditative mind and soul of RLX, a rapper hailing from Lawrence, Massachusetts. Paired with Cambridge-based producer LOMAN, the duo crafted an album blending East Coast grit with modern sensibilities—heard in its crisp, bass-heavy mixes, atmospheric samples, and subtle trap influences contrasting with its classic boom-bap foundation. While hip-hop sometimes tends to lean into fleeting trends and materialism, Madon’ pays homage to the genre’s Golden Age in the 80s through the 90s, with its modest yet evocative production and keen lyricism—one of the major identifiers of East Coast rap.
The album opens with “Agua Fria,” an intriguing track immersing the listener in a somewhat unfamiliar soundscape mostly due to its minimal effort beat—a staple of the album that takes some getting used to but soon becomes a defining strength, allowing RLX’s lyricism and delivery to take center stage. LOMAN’s production is sparse but deliberate, synths tinkling over a barely-there bassline that adds a subtle rhythm, alongside ad-libs exploding with hostile, bulldog energy. RLX rides on the beat with a steady flow disrupting itself before seeming predictable. With the same intensity as he employs throughout the album, he recounts his rise from humble beginnings: “I was low, I was broke, thinking on that tour bus / Now I go, rock the show, I’ve been in the forefront.” This juxtaposition of stark beats and RLX’s fiery self-assurance sets the tone for the album, balancing raw authenticity with sharp resolve.
Throughout Madon’, RLX explores themes of perseverance and introspection. On “Never Thought,” he leans into his vulnerability, expressing the feat of self-growth. “Never thought I’d be where I’m standing,” he opens with, his emphatic delivery cutting through the beat with a forceful cadence, free of melody but rich with conviction. The track features a laid-back, mellow beat supporting RLX’s introspection, with a soul sample in the background adding a cozy, romantic feel to it. LOMAN enhances this contemplative atmosphere with delicate keys, creating a smooth, soothing vibe. The layered textures in the production provide an even backdrop which allows RLX’s rhymes to maintain their emotional depth throughout. “Ugatz” leans further into this theme, solidifying its reflective tone. “Ugatz” feels like a confessional, with RLX rapping over a vibrant, multi-layered beat packed with quick hi-hats, claps, and thumping kicks. His lyrics—”In my mind, I can see it when it shines / like a beacon with the fire / I was beaming to the sky / Without a reason, I was fly”—give room for hope and conviction despite the struggle.
The album then shifts gears with “Arabian Packflip,” introducing a more upbeat, rhythmic dynamic. One thing worth noticing is LOMAN’s production doesn’t just accompany RLX; it serves as a co-narrator. Each beat feels tailored to enhance the stories being told. “Arabian Packflip” stands out with its syncopated drums and hypnotic tone, injecting playful energy into the project. RLX, joined by Boston’s Michael Christmas, meets this vibe with verses that oscillate between humor and grit. Lines like “Day to day, I’m living like there ain’t a day again” register a sense of urgency, while “Pain is rich, it’s plain and simple” reveals the deeper existential undertone present on the entire album.
As the scene develops, “Gone,” in contrast, featuring Washington DC artist, Swan Lingo, is a haunting meditation on loss. Lingo’s refrain—”I see no one’s in your life, no longer trying to be right”—floats over the somber, trancelike beat, his rich, velvety baritone adding weight to the song’s bleak tone. The interplay between RLX’s grounded verses and Lingo’s vocals captures the album’s essence: navigating isolation while relentlessly chasing dreams. It’s a struggle resonating universally, making RLX’s story not only his own but one that many can deeply relate to.
The finale, “75 MPH,” ties the album’s themes of struggle and prevail into a resolute close. RLX sums up his journey with lines like “Crawled through the mud and the rain, I was made for this,”—a declaration that feels personal, but also like something we could all nod to. The soulful undertones and soft pop rhythm lined with overarching synths give the track a subtle triumphant quality as if to embody the artist who has weathered life’s storms and is coming up top.
Listening to Madon’ is as immersive an experience as anyone could think of. RLX’s voice—raw, powerful, and understated—demands attention, while LOMAN’s beats create lush atmospheres shifting effortlessly between meditative calm and urgent energy. Together, they’ve constructed an album that feels timeless yet fresh, an album that serves as a testament to hip-hop’s enduring ability to tell compelling stories. For an authentic hip-hop experience, especially of the East Coast scene, Madon’ more than delivers. RLX and LOMAN don’t merely honor the genre’s roots—they expand upon them, offering a profound, deeply human work that resonates long after the final track fades.
