On Feb. 20, 2026, rappers Larry June and Curren$y released a joint album titled “Spiral Staircases” composed by highly influential DJ, engineer, and producer The Alchemist. Not only do these artists have long lists of work together, but Larry’s tranquil flow mixed with Curren$y’s witty rhymes and gritty voice is a style that fits the Alchemist’s rough and soulful sample-heavy production tremendously. Contrived of seven tracks and having a short runtime of 23 minutes, “Spiral Staircases” is everything an alternative hip hop fan like myself could ever want. 

On Track one titled, “Stars on the roof”, The Alchemist sets the tone with a soft but grimy guitar sample. Larry June immediately attacks this beat with his serene flow and arrogant writing, making remarks on his luxury cars and resorts with the lyrics, “I jump in the black machine, then I touch the screen, I’m in Vegas late night at the tower suite.” After the two share a chorus, Curren$y arrives with a more blatant approach to this arrogant style. With lyrics reading, “The high performance, I’m higher than all of them, Ralph Lauren garments on the casual morning.”

Track two, titled “Everything Allocated,” carries on with its tranquil production but in a more uncanny tone, using an eerie piano loop with an upbeat drumline with light psychedelic effects. Larry and Curren$y continue their high luxury arrogance with lyrics like, “my stock keep accumulating, you cant lil bro me,” and “the water under the bridge, another million for the kids.” This time the two have a much faster flow with an immediate transition from verse to verse. 

Track three, “Drive alone” uses a simple bass loop layered with light snares and slow drums. Larry takes his arrogant style and flips it on its head. The lyrics, “I spend money when I want, cause I work for it, But it starts with a goal,” explains their materialistic lives as a product of hard work and dedication. But in Curren$y’s verse, he claims his arrogance is due to people being “angry and blind,” ending the track with a vulnerable chorus repeating that “sometimes I feel so high, sometimes I feel so low, but I’m never gon’ stop, cause it’s all I know.”

Track four, “Spiral Staircases” is definitely the weakest track on this project due to its abnormally dull production. Although Curren$y shines with one of his best verses on this album, It ultimately feels like a filler track with no real direction. 

Track five titled, “Palo Santo” is well engineered and mixed, but it feels like a copy of the track “Drive alone” with a slightly different bass. To add, Larry’s verse is well structured and delivered, but Curren$y drags that down a verse that feels drawn out and restless. 

The project does return to its high quality production on Track 6 titled, “2.P.1.G.” which is led by a smooth drum and snare as a psychedelic sample loops in the background. Curren$y gives a very well structured verse using lines like, “Kaleidoscope on the table, see the world from all angles,” and “full moon, silver spoon, scooping sweetener, that money comin’ soon,” giving Larry a great base to build off. Larry’s verse takes a slower, smoother flow, bouncing from bar to bar, stating that “I’m in the SL with Rell, two of the same phone, both collectin’ the mail, guess I’m the postman.”

To end the Project, The Alchemist produces one of the best instrumentals of his career on the final track, titled “Empty Pages.” Using a saxophone sample with a hypnotizing vocal loop, Curren$y begins the track repeating his laid back boastful style, stating “the lounge was packed, the dice was loaded, the cards was stacked against us, but somehow we made it back,” ending his verse with a short interlude. The Alchemist surprises listeners, giving a verse of his own, opening it with “Leave out a plate with a piece of steak, make sure all the wolves is fed,” and “See me with a briefcase, you can guarantee that its full of bread,” showing a witty side that listeners don’t get to see often. The track is then wrapped up with Larry giving his best verse of the project that feels a bit too short. 

Overall, this album is phenomenal; its wide range of instrumentals that still follow a well structured concept, along with the continuous, braggadocious, easygoing writing that never gets old, allows this album to stay on repeat for long periods of time. 6 out of the 7 tracks made my playlist and will definitely stay there for a while, making this album a 8.8/10 due to its extraordinary production, and stylistic approach, with it feeling a bit too short. 

Favorite tracks: Empty Pages, 2.P.I.G., and Stars on the roof.