Album Review: Tact by 誤 – A Raw Slice of Japanese Hip Hop Brilliance
If you’re into hip hop that feels more like a gritty late-night conversation than a flashy party anthem, Tact by 誤 is worth your time. Released in 2018 under the Acid, Pot Or Pills label, this album hits hard with its stripped-down beats and razor-sharp lyricism. It’s not trying to be anything it’s not—just pure, unfiltered storytelling wrapped in moody production. And honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
Let’s talk tracks for a sec. “Close To The Edge” is one I keep coming back to. The beat has this hypnotic sway to it, almost like walking through Tokyo at 3 AM when everything’s quiet but still buzzing underneath. The flow from 誤 here is smooth as hell, weaving between vulnerability and raw confidence. You can tell he’s got something to say, and he’s not holding back. Then there’s “In The Heat Of The Night,” which flips the vibe entirely. This track slaps harder, with darker undertones and an energy that grabs you by the collar. It’s chaotic in the best way possible, like watching a storm roll in—you know it’s trouble, but you can’t look away.
The whole project feels cohesive without being repetitive, thanks partly to the tight-knit team behind it. Shoutout to Takahide Kure for the art direction; the visuals match the music perfectly, all shadowy and mysterious. DJ Panasonic and Skinnee Tah killed it on executive production, while Jyunya Fujimoto’s photography adds another layer of depth to the package. These folks didn’t just throw stuff together—they crafted an experience.
What really struck me about Tact is how personal it feels. It’s not trying to cater to trends or chase streams. Instead, it’s content to exist in its own lane, letting the listener decide whether they’re ready to step into its world. Tracks like “Owari No Hajimari” and “Man With Attitude” showcase 誤’s range, bouncing between introspective bars and straight-up swagger. By the time you hit “Coda,” it feels less like an ending and more like a lingering thought you can’t shake off.
Here’s the thing though—this isn’t background music. You gotta sit with it, maybe even let it challenge you a bit. Listening to Tact feels like hearing someone spill their guts over a beat, and yeah, that might make some people uncomfortable. But isn’t that what great art’s supposed to do?
Random thought: If this album were a person, it’d probably wear leather jackets, smoke hand-rolled cigarettes, and have a notebook full of half-finished poems. Not sure why that image popped into my head, but hey, that’s the vibe. Check it out if you’re up for something real.
