We Should Escape is the sixth full-length studio album from Panamanian-American hip-hop artist River Nelson and his second LP with Los Angeles-area producer AltoBeats. The album will be released on October 6, 2023. Their first joint project was 2021’s Like the Sun Didn’t Sink.
Made up of 11 tracks, We Should Escape follows the concept of one escaping all of the mayhem that we see in today’s cities and finding a peaceful, remote place to get away from it all.
“For a while now, I’ve had this daydream about escaping all of the day-to-day madness that we face and starting over in a new peaceful place — away from the crowds and hectic nature of city life,” says River. “So, that’s the basic concept of the album, and Alto laid the perfect musical backing.”
Some of the tracks on We Should Escape include the first single Mindfulness, which is about seeking internal and mental peace amid turbulent times.
Other songs include the second single Seclusion, where River spits about his need to get away from the world over Alto’s masterful piano playing.
Meanwhile, on the album’s opener For Art’s Sake, River rhymes about his rise as a celebrated hip-hop artist. And later in the album he shows his stellar wordplay on the uniquely crafted Seen It, Did It, Do It.
“It’s an honor to partner up with AltoBeats again, especially after the great reviews of our first project,” River explains. “He’s truly one of the most talented producers I worked with, and we definitely cooked up another gem that’s full of heartfelt lyricism and superb production.”
Track listing:
For Art's Sake
City Soldier
Seclusion
Mindfulness
I Write in the Morning
Seen It, Did It, Do It
Desired Haven
Night Came
Somehow
Dangerous Gravel
Life Game
For more information on River Nelson:
About River Nelson:
River Nelson began his recording career when he was signed to Arista Records by label executive Joy Bailey while Clive Davis was still at the helm. He also hooked up with New York rappers the Boogiemonsters and was featured on the group’s debut Riders of The Storm: The Underwater Album.
Afterward, River worked with legendary UK producer Lewis Parker and the two created the critically praised album, The Rise & Fall of River Nelson in 2010 and their follow up, The Shape of The Sky, in 2013.
In 2016 River released his third studio album How to Dream, followed by the EP Navigation in 2017, and the LP Power, Resilience & Joy in 2019. Then in 2021, the album Like the Sun Didn't Sink was released to stellar reviews.
River — who was born in New York City and spent his childhood in Norwalk, Connecticut — has carved out a nice following for himself in the U.S., Europe and other parts of the globe.
About AltoBeats:
AltoBeats is a Mexican-American beat maker and music producer from Pacoima, California. He’s classically trained in music theory, playing piano since childhood and accordion since his teenage years.
Today, he's a respected beat maker, and his influences are J Dilla, Madlib, 9th Wonder, Freddie Joachim, RZA, Apollo Brown, The Alchemist, Quincy Jones, Johan Johansson, Stro Elliot, and many others.
Alto and River have been working together since River’s 2019 album, Power, Resilience & Joy. Their first full project together was 2021’s Like the Sun Didn’t Sink.
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