Album Review: Veranda by Loptimist (2014)
Alright, so I’ve been vibin’ to Veranda by Loptimist lately. It’s one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you—released back in 2014 under Kemistreet Records, it’s got this chill Korean Hip-Hop meets classic Hip-Hop vibe that feels super laid-back but still hits hard when it needs to. If you’re into beats that make your head nod and lyrics that feel like late-night musings, this might just be your thing.
Now, the album's got a solid lineup of tracks, but two stood out for me personally. First off, there’s “Doubt (feat. Teth & Ji Jonghwan).” Man, this track is smooth as butter. It’s got this mellow beat with these haunting undertones, and the verses? Super introspective. Like, you can tell they’re not just spittin’ bars—they’re actually saying something. The chemistry between the artists is legit, and it makes you wanna hit replay just to catch all the little details you missed the first time around.
Then there’s “On the road (feat. 디씨).” This one feels like cruising down some neon-lit street at night, windows down, wind in your hair. The flow here is just effortless, and 디씨’s feature adds this extra layer of grit that works perfectly. What gets me is how the production balances minimalism with depth—it’s not overdone, but every sound has its place. Honestly, this track stuck with me because it feels like a vibe you don’t wanna leave.
The rest of the album keeps the energy pretty consistent too. Tracks like “Memoria,” “Rise,” and even “Pillow” show off Loptimist’s range without losing that cohesive feel. And shoutout to the remix version of “지나가던 길에”—it adds a fresh twist while keeping the soul of the original intact.
What’s wild about Veranda is how it manages to feel both nostalgic and forward-thinking at the same time. Listening to it now, almost a decade later, it still holds up. Maybe it’s the way Loptimist blends genres or how the features bring their A-game, but this album doesn’t feel dated—it feels timeless.
Honestly, though, the most unexpected thing about Veranda isn’t any one track or lyric; it’s how much it made me think about life. Like, yeah, it’s Hip-Hop, but it’s also kind of a soundtrack for self-reflection. By the end, you’re left wondering if Loptimist planned it that way—or if it just happened naturally. Either way, it’s dope.
So, if you haven’t checked out Veranda, do yourself a favor and give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up zoning out for hours thinking about stuff you didn’t plan to think about. Weird flex, but I’m into it.
