Vex One - Good To Go album review by Sheffield Music Scene

The thing that really stands out about Vex One's R&G (Rhythm and Grime) mix-tape "Good To Go" (released through Drunken Boy Records) is how chilled out the vibe is; yeah it's got some good beats that really make you want to move but it feels pretty laid back as well.

It only seems appropriate that I take my cue from the Urban scene and "sample" some of his lyrics to describe the album as it seems somewhat auto-biographical and the lyrics quite personal. Vex One's trademark rapid fire delivery is very distinctive as he say on "Spit These Bars" he's 'fast like F1', but as he later says on title track "Good To Go", 'I say things clear so you can hear every word, cos the reason I make music is for it to be heard', this may seem like an obvious thing but not all artist do that and if you have got something to say you want people to hear it.

There's somewhat frivolous songs like "Fashionably Young" and bonus track "Fresh Kicks" (the colaboration with Nem and Yezza) that are about his love for new threads and looking good, and tracks like "Get Raving" that's just about living it large. But much of the album feels very personal, from his first track to last his bars are heavily incluenced by his apsirations for the success of his music: 'I'm gonna make it to the top cos it's the dream, me I spit fresh like listerine' ("Ain't Gonna Stop"). Indeed there's some real wit and intelligence to his lyrics one of my favourites being 'Men are from from mars, women are from venus; you must think all boys think with their penis', from "Boys & Girls", which is one of several collaborations or tracks featureing other artists. It's also one of the tracks that show a more romantic side to Vex One's lyrics writing, of which "Girl In The Summer" (featuring Violett) is one of the most moving and I'm sure goes down well with the ladies.

At 16 tracks, around 55 minutes, you might not even have to put it on repeat if you've got it on whilst making love... plus there's a couple bonus tracks that feature local MC's Nem and Yezza, and DJ Kucia that although are different in style are good additions to the album.