Pocket Life by Treehouse: A Hidden Gem in Hip Hop’s Back Pocket
Let me just say this upfront—Pocket Life isn’t your typical 2011 hip-hop album. It doesn’t scream for attention with flashy features or overproduced beats. Instead, it feels like that quiet friend at the party who ends up being way cooler than anyone else there. Released under Republic Digital Distribution and crafted by Treehouse (who wore almost every hat on this project), Pocket Life sneaks up on you with its raw vibes and thoughtful details.
The title track, “Pocket Life,” is where the magic starts. I mean, how can you not vibe when Rico Sisney lays down his smooth vocals over basslines so thick they feel like molasses? Mike Ruby really brought his A-game here—the bass grooves are hypnotic, man. And then there’s Chazz Alley jumping in with that bass clarinet solo… wait, what?! Yeah, a freakin’ bass clarinet. Who does that in hip-hop? But somehow, it works. The whole thing feels lived-in, like those late-night conversations about life and dreams that leave you buzzin’ long after they’re done.
Another standout track is “Includes the Track.” Okay, okay, maybe that’s not actually its name—I’m messing with ya—but seriously, one of the unnamed gems hits hard because of Doug Ellington’s trumpet work. You don’t expect to hear brass on an album like this, but damn if it doesn’t add layers you didn’t know you needed. Zach Perry deserves props too; he mixed and mastered everything, giving it a crispness that still lets the grit shine through.
What sticks with me most about Pocket Life is how personal it feels. Like, these aren’t songs made for playlists—they’re stories told straight from Treehouse’s heart. When you listen closely, you realize this wasn’t just some cash grab or label experiment. This was passion bottled up and poured out into sound waves.
And honestly, isn’t that what music should be? Not perfect, not polished to death, but real enough to make you stop scrolling and hit replay. Funny thing though—as much as I love this album, I kinda wish Treehouse had dropped more stuff since. Where’d they go? Did they get lost in their own pocket life? Whatever happened, we’re left holding onto this little treasure, wondering what could’ve been.
So yeah, check out Pocket Life. Just don’t blame me if you end up zoning out to it while staring blankly at your ceiling fan for hours.
