Album Review: Triathlon The Spirit Of Bo by JLove
Released in 2015 under Goblin Music, JLove’s Triathlon The Spirit Of Bo is a raw and unfiltered dive into the gritty world of underground hip-hop. This album doesn’t try to be something it’s not—it’s straight-up real talk with beats that slap harder than most mainstream joints from the same era. And let’s be honest, sometimes authenticity hits different when it comes from an artist who clearly puts their soul into every track.
The production quality is solid, thanks to Daniel "Spent D'Nero" Mawyin on recording duties and Max Vargas handling the mix. But what really makes this project stand out are the tracks themselves—each one feels like its own little story, stitched together by JLove’s sharp lyricism and DJ PF Cuttin’s seamless transitions. Two tracks that stuck with me? Let’s break ‘em down.
First up, “Look Outside.” It’s one of those songs where you can practically feel the vibe shift as soon as it starts playing. The beat has this hypnotic bounce to it, but it’s JLove’s flow that grabs your attention. He talks about life struggles without sounding preachy or overly dramatic, which is refreshing. There’s a line in there—I won’t quote it word-for-word because spoilers—but damn, it made me pause mid-scroll through my phone. That’s rare these days.
Then there’s “Late Night Bluff,” which flips the energy entirely. It’s darker, moodier, almost cinematic. You could imagine some late-night heist scene unfolding while this plays in the background. The way JLove layers his verses over the haunting instrumental shows off his versatility. Like, dude can switch tones faster than I can decide whether to hit snooze or get outta bed. Props to whoever came up with that hook too—it sticks with you long after the song ends.
Now, full disclosure: not every track lands perfectly. Some cuts lean a bit too heavy on repetition, and a couple intros/outros drag just enough to make you check how much time’s left. But honestly? That kinda adds to the charm. This isn’t some polished-over pop-rap nonsense; it’s messy, human, and deeply personal. And yeah, maybe that’s why tracks like “Look Outside” and “Late Night Bluff” resonate so hard—they’re imperfectly perfect.
Shoutout to Rodini Almonacy for the art direction and layout too. The cover art matches the vibe of the album—gritty yet thought-provoking. Same goes for Caferivillas’ photography. Everything ties together nicely, even if it’s low-key instead of flashy.
So here’s the thing: Triathlon The Spirit Of Bo might not blow up your playlists overnight, but it’s the kind of album that grows on you. It reminds me of those random finds at a thrift store—you don’t expect much at first glance, but once you give it a chance, you realize it’s gold. Or maybe silver. Either way, worth keeping around.
Final thought? If you ever see JLove performing live, go. Just trust me on this one.
