“Put another lime in the Robitussin,” because it’s time to take a trip with the Barter Boys. On the song-as-travelogue “Barter Mainland / Barter Island,” Doc Waffles and Goldzilla lay down their relaxed brand of Detroit hip-hop over some woozy beats courtesy of Sheefy McFly and Crate Digga. As the last track and lead single off the pair’s self-titled new album, this is one Cadillac ride of a whip crack.
The #CoOwnaz-affiliated bros start things off with an espousal of the rapper’s hustle. As the laid-back beats come on smoothly, it’s easy to recognize the soul-drenched production style McFly so expertly unpacks. This is Barter Mainland, where Doc Waffles wants us to know Def Jam is passé. Around here they’re getting signed to Merrill Lynch, and Goldzilla just wants to sell us some hundred-dollar pills.
Despite the cool and conversational flow throughout, Waffles and ‘Zilla feel the need to escape the day-to-day pressures of the Mainland and Jet Ski over to Barter Island. Part two of the suite deftly switches gears, as Crate Digga takes over production duty and downshifts into a slightly experimental vibe. The overall feel is akin to ‘Zilla’s line, “Hammock in the day and a hut in the night.”
With all the drunken swagger of Belle Isle vacationers, Doc Waffles and Goldzilla let us down easy as we leave Barter Island and prepare to go back to the office in the morning. Thankfully, we’ll have this track as a souvenir to remind us of more carefree days as we enter winter.
Barter Boys is out now and can be purchased here. Listen to “Barter Mainland / Barter Island” below: