Authored by Wes Mateo Johnson

Thought Process · Always in Changing Form

Coming off of another milestone year in an ever-blossoming career, Joseph Rich continues to stoke the flame of his musical alias, Thought Process. Having found a home amongst friends and fellow hip hop conesures in the all:Lo collective, Rich and company having been constantly cooking up new ways bridge the gap between the music of their upbringings with the sounds of tomorrow. One of the keys to Rich’s rise is his relatively sparse offerings of previously released music. While Rich tends to release music on a yearly basis, typically via one of his annual mixes, his growing fanbase knows that the best way to stay current is to see him live and experience the sound the way it’s meant to be heard. Two years following the release of his last EP, Thought Process treats his fans with his most recent project, “Always in Changing Form”, proving to be another clearcut example of Rich’s continual prodigious talent spread across six tracks, including a collaboration with his fellow all.Lo contemporary pheel.

The first track off of his first 2023 release is an introspective head-nod tune called “Corduroy Moon”; alongside tracks like “The Fate that Remain” and “Forever Winter”, these compositions bring you into the dream-like soundscape, as playful synths are draped over rhythmic and layered bass lines, all propped up against a signature drum break reminiscent of 90’s hip-hop. Embodying what all:Lo records is about is the second track, “Study Hall” brings to life a sound system demolisher with the help of fellow label-mates pheel. & Brother Nature. The tune begins with a slow and eerie intro before coming to life at the same moment Brother Nature hops on the mic and brandishes bar after bar with effortless ease. As his first verse ends, Thought Process and pheel. take the reins and unleash a series of bass notes that have rocked several systems in the last few months and will surely continue to punish systems through the coming years. With the help of newest addition to the 5AM Trio and longtime member of Wax Future, Keith Wadsworth, the EP even receives an injection of electro-funk through their collaborative track “To Pursue”. Taking a step in a bold new direction is the tune “Cocoon”, where Rich demonstrates his clear progression in songwriting ability while offering his take on house music infusing the piece with worldly percussion and serene violin melody lines courtesy of Alicia Kiah. With all these ingredients firmly boiling in the pot, it's no wonder this release feels so particularly dialed in.

The release of Always in Changing Form confirms to the listener that while the sound of Thought Process gestates and matures, he’s still carving out a lane that is entirely his own. High-fidelity sound design and stoic riffs used in conjunction with outstanding DJ fundamentals create the inectious grooves and the truly emotive music his fans have grown so accustomed to. Adding to the excitement of this EP's landfall, The Rust chose to tap Rich's keen ear and tastes for our latest Rusty Selects Playlist on Spotify, covering ground from his inspirations to his contemporaries and back again, giving fans a chance to get further acquainted with the man behind the mission. As he ventures into the remainder of the year with a head full of steam, we’re keeping our eyes on Thought Process and making sure that Always in Changing Form stays in rotation until the next coveted release graces our airwaves.

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