Lending itself to bluesy glides and pop-hop, Dylan Joel’s debut album Authentic Lemonade expresses vocal dexterity and instrumentation, allowing it too comfortably sit on the Australian hip-hop shelf of contemporary originality. Authentic Lemonade’s 12 tracks pack a soulful punch full of sparkling-synths and authentic hooks, with some moments contains a Southern sadness but is nonetheless welcome to our ears.

Dylan Joel has certainly been busy after Triple J plucked him up, and supporting acts like Bliss N Esso and Seth Sentry. Joining the ranks of Australia’s vibrant up-and-comers, Joel’s album is excitedly anticipated as demonstrates what good hip-hop is and the distinctive criteria needed to sit atop it.

As Swing strums along to a bellowing double-bass riff, Joel speedily raps against hip-hop royalty Mantra “swag”, to keep it real and “swinging”. As scratchy records and angelic acapellas progress, Seth Sentry, Sizzle and Bliss N Esso chill in the background while Joel fights against the trite development of music for his idea of soul.

This track increases in tempo and vitality, and is completely carved apart from the album songs of its genre. Joel also plays homage to Ice Cube and cassette tapes, while progressing into those crazy accumulative speeds, flying over each rhyme, and honouring the dons.

The artist told triple j he adapted his moral code from one of hip-hops founding fathers, Afrika Bambaata. This claim rings absolutely true in Authentic Lemonade, as Dylan Joel’s milieu of organs and guitars send a strong “Peace, Unity, Love and having fun!” message. Always Fresh breaks a strong beat as Joel speaks poignant truths to ‘just believe’, and Numbers welcomes a vibrating chorus of energy.

Numbers has a muted guitar slide that is so alluring it’ll have you drooling. Hope Is… another unassuming number that has an electric jazzy keyboard worthy of wearing black sunglasses. A slower piece about social wrongs, this track is unafraid of speaking its mind against a developing keyboard and world. Joel’s vocals in Hope Is… are spotlighted and strained, but this limelight adds emphasis while bringing blood to every one of his politicized beats.

Fresh to the scene, Dylan Joel is reinventing the rap game with effortless ease. Authentic Lemonade is exemplary of his hard work – turning heads with versatile harmonies – and musical knowledge of predecessors. This album caught us off-guard, with it’s golden instrumentals and pristine pipes, and we cant wait for what the charismatic headliner will do next.