Hesitation Wounds is third solo album by the rapper Sleep, who is one of the numerous members of the huge Oldominion crew. I hadn't heard much of their records, if I remember correctly the only albums I had heard before Hesitation Wounds were ANX by Dark Time Sunshine and the Grayskul album Name in Vain -- which both feature Onry Ozzborn as (one of the) vocalist(s). Honestly, the only reason I ever decided to check it out is the Del tha Funkee h*mosapien-featuring song "Lothar", that I stumbled upon.
If someone would ask me to summarize the album in three words I'd have no idea how to answer, because I simply can't. The transparent-sounding synths sound heavenly once Sleep lays down his k**er flows that switch up slightly multiple times per song. With only two songs that feature verses by other artists Sleep grabs this opportunity to shine with an aesthetical prowess he shows when rapping about the soulful subjects that the album covers.
The few high-pitched soul samples graciously accompany Sleep while he throws down lyrical tombstones with the names of other rappers on them, which actually isn't a focus on the album. Hesitation Wounds includes a group of more personal cuts like the Zavala-produced "Day Dreamer", and "So Far Away". Sleep even brought up the difficulties his daughter's cancer brought along with it in the latter track, which I respect him a lot for.
With guest singers like Toni Hill providing lyrics on "Orchestra of Strangers" like "Tick-tock, listen to my heartbeat / Tick-tock, the sound of my orchestra / Listen to the sounds of my life's metronome / Tick-tocking like the sand slipping through my fingertips", the album definitely is a must-listen for anyone who likes a rapper who can drop a tear or two on the track and make your heart melt along with the rhythm of the beat. [Cover art]