Czarface & Ghostface Killah - “Czarface Meets Ghostface” Album Review

posted February 21, 2019 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by Zach Hall

Czarface & Ghostface Killah - Czarface Meets Ghostface Album Review

Czarface returns with another collaborative album that further proves his stance as one of the most versatile lyricists making music right now. This time around, Czarface links up with Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan on “Czarface Meets Ghostface.”

The two rappers together is a match made in heaven, and this newest collaborative effort proves it. Aside from a few thematic hiccups, “Czarface Meets Ghostface” is an excellent hip-hop record with plenty of beats and bars to keep any rap fan happy. 

Much like Czarface’s last collaborative record “Czarface Meets Metal Face,” the theme of the majority of the album is akin to a superhero versus villain story. This idea was a bit squandered on “Czarface Meets Metal Face” with only portions of a few tracks keeping with that themes.

Unfortunately, “Czarface Meets Ghostface” faces these same issues. The first track “Back at Ringside” suggests Czarface must face off against Ghostface in lyrical warfare, his toughest challenge yet. This track sets the tone perfectly, but the rest of the album, much like Czarface prior performance, nearly abandons this idea in favor of lyrically sparring everyone else versus each other. This theme could have permeated more of the album and it would have been all the better for it. However, despite some thematic inconsistencies, “Czarface Meets Ghostface” is an entertaining listen from start to finish.

Both Czarface and Ghostface offer a variety of flows and delivery to show just how lyrically and stylistically versatile they are. Each track sees the two asserting their dominance as some of the best lyricists out right now, and judging by the tracklist on “Czarface Meets Ghostface” few would be hard pressed to disagree. There is not a track on this project that sounds like filler, with everyone offering an onslaught of lyrical excellence layered on top of instrumentals that are varied as much as they are entertaining.

With the help of Czar-Keys (7L & Esoteric) and Inspectah Deck, the production on “Czarface Meets Ghostface” shines just as much as the lyrics. Raw drums mixed with analog synth and bass make for a soundscape that keeps moving forward and stays engaging the whole time. From synth keys to hits of the snare and everything in between, the mixing and mastering work on “Czarface Meets Ghostface” is superb. Every aspect of each instrumental is crisp and is given room to breathe, making each track feel full.

Aside from some squandered thematic potential, “Czarface Meets Ghostface” is solid on nearly every level. Masterful mixing and production highlighting complex lyrical bats between two of the greats. At a brisk 39 minute run time, “Czarface Meets Ghostface” begs to be listened to from start to finish. Czarface has done it yet again.

Rating: 7/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Track: “Morning Ritual”
Reviewer's Least Favorite Track: “The King Heard Voices”

Zach Hall is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zth5043@psu.edu.