Album Review: With All Due Respect by Asun Eastwood x Finn
Released in 2019 under the Gold Era label, With All Due Respect is a raw and gritty plunge into hardcore hip-hop that doesn’t hold back. Hailing from Canada, Asun Eastwood teams up with producer-extraordinaire Finn to deliver an album that feels both personal and unapologetically bold. With Finn handling production, mixing, and mastering, the sound is tight—almost surgical—but leaves enough room for Eastwood’s sharp lyricism to cut through.
The album kicks off with “With All Due Respect (Intro),” setting the tone right away. It’s not your typical intro track; it’s more like a statement of intent. The beat hits hard, layered with eerie undertones that feel like walking into a dimly lit basement party where everyone means business. Eastwood wastes no time diving into his bars, laying down lines that are equal parts braggadocio and introspection. You can tell this isn’t just music—it’s a mission.
One standout track is “Soul’s Mystery.” This one sticks because of how smooth yet haunting it feels. The instrumental rides on this jazzy loop that somehow still bangs harder than most trap beats out there. Eastwood flexes his storytelling skills here, painting vivid pictures of struggle, resilience, and self-discovery. There’s a moment midway where he spits, “I was built for the grind, God put steel in my spine,” and damn if that line doesn’t hit different every time you hear it. Finn’s fingerprints are all over this one—his ability to balance grit and melody keeps the track replay-worthy.
Another banger worth mentioning is “Customer Service.” If sarcasm had a soundtrack, this would be it. Over a bass-heavy beat laced with quirky samples, Eastwood delivers punchline after punchline, taking aim at fake industry politics and shady dealings. Lines like “They want me humble while they count my numbers” stick with you long after the song ends. It’s witty without being pretentious, and the energy never dips—even when the topic gets heavy.
What makes With All Due Respect memorable isn’t just its technical precision but also its attitude. Eastwood raps like someone who’s got something to prove, and Finn backs him up with beats that refuse to fade into the background. Together, they create an experience that’s as much about listening as it is about feeling.
In a world full of cookie-cutter rap projects, this album stands out like a graffiti tag on a pristine wall. Sure, it might not appeal to everyone, but that’s kinda the point. By the end of it, you realize this wasn’t made to please crowds—it was made to leave a mark. And honestly? I didn’t expect to laugh at some of the skits sprinkled throughout, but hey, life’s full of surprises.
