By Daniel Paiz

Integrated Tech Solutions is the name of Aesop Rock’s newest Hip-Hop album, and it’s a full dive into how technology is so interwoven into the fabric of today’s society. This 2023 release on Rhymesayers is Aes’ first full album since 2020’s Spirit World Field Guide. 18 tracks span a wide-ranging exploration into a series of topics, coupled by clever lines, engaging rhyme cadences, and possible warnings about tech.

Technology intertwines with every aspect of life, automating life and perhaps disconnecting human connections that used to be there. However, our systems of living have always had tech, just not the digital formats that we’ve become accustomed to these days. Rocks, wedges, pulleys, tools are all forms of tech; they just seemed to remain in their place of being a tool, whereas digital tech has moved beyond said role. 

Standout tracks

There are a few standout tracks, but the good news is everything on this project merits multiple listens. The one song that kept getting replayed (and was released as a maxi-single of sorts a week before the full album drop) is “Mindful Solutionism“. It’s the second track on the project, and the first full song listeners here after the Apple-like commercial introduction of “The ITS Way.”

This beat comes flying out of the gate, where synth-y headnodic beats meets Aesop’s flow busting down the door. Images of Blade Runner or Cyberpunk 2077 come to mind as the song progresses. The best line of this song, while understated compared to other agile rhymes, has to be the following:

We cannot be trusted with the stuff that we come up with, the machinery can (b)eat us, we just really love our buttons,

Aesop Rock-Mindful Solutionism

The scope with which technology can reach is expansive and limitless, but its usage is questionable in human hands. Even the chorus for this song is intriguing, as it both gives imagery via simplicity, but also almost feels like a double entendre for fans remembering Kirby, Aes’ cat: “If it’s outta the bag, it’s outta the bag, now that is a powerful cat.” Perhaps the supposed chaos of cats is a parallel to the decision-making of humans. Pondering the good and bad of what’s developed tech-wise will be ongoing, but currently it seems questionable about which one outweighs which.

“Infinity Fill Goose Down” is another densely packed song that almost seems like it draws off of parallels from George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The first verse refers to pigs, horses, and flat-out mentions the title as well. However, this seems a bit farfetched to be directly referencing that book; instead, perhaps it’s more of a loose connection to how the idea of change through new info and new tech leads to a changing of societal hierarchies and control. One line from the start of the second verse brings this to mind:

Yup I can introduce you to another realm, help you with the move, but only you can go fuck yourself,

Aesop Rock-Infinity Fill Goose Down

The second verse more so digs into competition via Mario Kart turtle shells and other video game references. It doesn’t really tie into the Animal Farm theme, but again relates to the greater parallel of new info and new tech leading to societal change. It could also be that, per usual for Aesop verses, there’s a bit of abstractness present to make one ponder if he’s drawing images for the listener; or if it’s part of a grander connection to the ITS way and bringing up today’s countless ways of connectivity.

Other tracks that are standouts include “Aggressive Steven“, “Vititus“, and “Kyanite Toothpick.” “Aggressive” is about the journey of someone dealing with addiction and mental health issues breaking into Rock’s place and what happens next. “Vititus” might be the most genuine, heartfelt track; the storytelling narrative of memories and things grandma would say throughout the song connects listeners to Aesop in a way no other track does. “Toothpick” has a brilliant back and forth between Rock and featured artist Hanni El Khatib, merging authenticity with braggadocio.

Sleeper tracks

There are some tracks that have hard-hitting beats, catchy melodies, and energetic rhymes but feel a bit abstract. Some of them make more sense the more rotations they get for this listener. However, a few of them feel like an exercise in displaying high-level abstract wordsmithing. There aren’t any bad tracks on this album, but a few of the good tracks seemingly sound like a break from what’s happened.

“Time Moves Differently Here” is an intriguing song about ordering every kind of food imaginable. It could just be a song about munchies ordered when high or really, really hungry. It could also be about connecting to “The ITS Way” again. Tech makes it super easy to gorge and partake in the consumption of so much fast food. Access leads to surrounding oneself with food. Food takes us to a different plane, one perhaps consisting of both pleasure and pain. It might not be that complicated, but it’s up to you.

“Forward Compatibility Engine” is the obligatory team-up track with Rob Sonic, and it brings that chemistry, that dynamism these two possess when collaborating. It seemingly feels like a track dealing with a giant, a troll, or perhaps some other form of real or symbolic kaiju of some sort. However, the chorus mentioning Jane could just pull this back to The Jetsons and other cartoon characters. Your call.

Lastly, debating about if “On Failure” is a prelude of sorts for “Black Snow“. Aesop Rock is very into art and has been drawing a long time. It’s interesting to hear his take on Vincent Van Gogh and Van Gogh’s painting “Landscape with Snow.” “Black Snow” seems unconnected with “On Failure” outside of the discussion on snow and failure in both. That’s too coincidental.

This final song has to be a call to action of sorts in life, perhaps getting outside and breaking past the tech systems humankind relies too much on. However, that isn’t explicitly said, either. “Freedom ain’t a function, it’s a mode” seems to best describe this song. Perhaps interacting with dirty snow is interacting with real life, with our actual reality instead of the simulation each one crafts daily.

Final Verdict

There’s a lot to ponder and mull over on this album. 18 tracks are there for your puzzlement, your ears, and for your pleasure. Like Rock’s 2020 album, this one feels like a nearly mythical creature when compared to what’s in the world of Hip-Hop right now. Getting a listener to press play over and over again isn’t an easy feat, and yet Aesop Rock has figured out how to do that while making interesting music. There’s wit, there’s humor, and there’s a whole lot of building lines together that make for some intrepid images.

What also adds to the intrigue is there’s little said directly by Aes about the album outside of the music itself. Aesop Rock appears to have not been doing interviews since around 2020, so gaining more intel on the songs and whatnot is a lot of second-guessing and feedback from collaborators on the tape. Collaborators on this project include Billy Woods, Hanni El Khatib, Lealani Teano, Rob Sonic, and Nikki Jean. Each collaborator adds something just right for the track they are featured on. After multiple spins and combing over lyrics and sounds repeatedly, this project is worth repeated listens.