Full disclosure: Rollie Pemberton is Cadence Weapon. Breaking Kayfabe is the title of his upcoming full length on Toronto "Soon Gonna Be a Real Label With Like a Budget and Shit" imprint Upper Class Records (direct quote from label hunk and Canseco Gareth Jones). Upper Class released Our Thickness by the Russian Futurists early this year to not-enough positive response, and also to no uncertain amount of Border Patrolling and Stupidly Illegal Immigration (Hart got gaffled by onetime at the Can/Am Border during the Caribou/Junior Boy tour earlier this year, his crime being "attempted earning of $30/night without the requisite $1000 work-visa papers"; Michael Moore documentary in the works). Folks have since nicknamed Matthew Hart "Softwood," we're still not sure why. It's got nothing to do with red wine, however.

This isn't about the Futurists, though. This is about why I can give an objective opinion on Rollie (ex Pitchfork writer, ex Stylus writer, current remixer for Lady Sovereign, and non-Clipse YSI'er and therefore Newell pisseroffer) when I share a blog with him sometimes. Well, I can't. Which is why I think "Oliver Square" is one of the jams of the year, and why I'll argue this with you, and why we're linking the mp3 so you can make your mind up about it without my bullshit croneyist propaganda getting in the way (Ed.: And why Clay is reviewing the album in two weeks).

Bullshit Croneyist Propaganda: "Oliver Square" (the song that got Rolls his record deal) is a hometown ode about locale Edmonton, which is often referred to as "The Texas of the North," which is solely because (little known fact) Rollie uses slithering synths and digi-drums on par with the best of the Houston scene, and in this case to a more kick-in-the-teeth effect. This thing plays like the soundtrack to a rap-themed sports highlight reel. Rollie's flow is slick throughout, and by the end of the song he'll have you tucking away your snicker at the opening line of "It's rough where I'm from / Edmonton." Yeah, it's a basic state-of-me-in-my-city rant with a massive hook, but you won't find a better one of these this year. At least not until November 6th.

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