Rebel G Society, the project of artist and producer Daryl Boothe, explores darker and more experimental territory with Obsidian Ecstasy, a boundary pushing alternative dancehall album that merges hip hop, dubstep, modern dancehall, and experimental R&B into a futuristic and high energy listening experience.
Created over the course of just three intense months, the record functions as the opening chapter of a planned three part sonic saga, and it clearly aims to establish a distinctive creative identity through atmospheric production, heavy vocal manipulation, and club driven rhythms. The result is an album that often feels cinematic and immersive, even if its songwriting does not always match the ambition of its production.
Across the album, Rebel G Society leans heavily into vocal experimentation. The vocals are frequently layered with heavy autotune, distortion, and atmospheric processing, turning the voice into another instrument within the mix rather than simply a vehicle for lyrical storytelling. In many cases, this approach works well for the futuristic aesthetic the album is trying to achieve. The production is consistently strong throughout the project, with polished mixing, balanced volume levels, and beats that feel deliberately crafted to support the record’s hypnotic atmosphere.
One of the most immediate things that stands out across Obsidian Ecstasy is how polished the instrumental side of the project is. The beats are often well crafted and rhythmically engaging, combining dancehall influenced grooves with modern trap percussion and electronic textures. There are moments where the production shifts into calmer, slower territory, and these sections often work particularly well for Rebel G Society’s style. When the music relaxes slightly and allows the melodies to breathe, the songs tend to feel more cohesive and emotionally effective.
However, while the production consistently holds the album together, the lyrics are where the record occasionally begins to struggle. Many of the tracks rely heavily on repetition, often repeating the song title or a short phrase throughout the entire track. While this approach can create catchy hooks and club friendly moments, it also means that several songs feel lyrically underdeveloped. The phrases themselves are memorable, but they rarely expand into deeper storytelling or thematic exploration, which can make some parts of the album blur together.
Despite this issue, there are clear moments where Rebel G Society’s ideas come together in a stronger way. Some of the calmer songs on the album stand out because they allow the vocal melodies to take centre stage without being overwhelmed by aggressive production. These tracks demonstrate that the artist’s voice, even when heavily processed, can carry emotional weight when paired with more restrained instrumentals. In these moments the project feels more focused and the atmosphere becomes far more engaging.
There are also points where the vocal performances themselves shine. Even with the constant use of autotune, certain melodic riffs and vocal layers build effectively within the production, creating dynamic moments that feel purposeful rather than purely stylistic. In particular, some songs incorporate layered vocal textures and contrasting vocal tones that add depth to the overall soundscape. The use of female vocal elements alongside Rebel G Society’s own processed vocals occasionally creates interesting sonic contrasts that enhance the futuristic feel of the album.
Another strong moment within the album comes when the project leans further into rap focused delivery. When the lyrics become slightly more varied and less repetitive, the songs immediately feel more engaging. The stronger lyrical passages demonstrate that the project benefits greatly when it moves beyond simple repeated hooks and allows the writing to develop more fully. These moments suggest that Rebel G Society has the potential to create far more compelling tracks if the songwriting is pushed further in future releases.
Some of the album’s most effective songs also draw on more personal emotional themes, particularly when dealing with past relationships or feelings of heartbreak. These moments feel more genuine and expressive, showing that when the writing is grounded in personal experience the music gains an emotional weight that is sometimes missing from the more purely stylistic tracks. The contrast between romantic vulnerability and bitterness creates an interesting emotional tension that stands out within the project.
Stylistically, the album occasionally evokes the atmosphere of contemporary melodic hip hop and alternative R&B artists such as The Weeknd, particularly in the slower and more atmospheric tracks. These moments bring a smoother, mood driven energy to the record that contrasts nicely with the more intense dancehall inspired songs. When the album moves into this slower territory, the overall sound often feels more natural and cohesive.
One of the few structural issues with Obsidian Ecstasy is that several tracks end up sounding quite similar to one another. Because many songs rely on the same vocal processing techniques and repetitive lyrical structures, parts of the album can blend together. This makes it difficult for every track to leave a distinct impression, and some songs fade into the background compared to the more memorable highlights.
Even with these shortcomings, Obsidian Ecstasy still succeeds in establishing a strong sonic identity for Rebel G Society. The production is confident, the atmosphere is immersive, and the project clearly commits to its futuristic and experimental vision. As the first chapter of a larger three part series, the album feels like the beginning of a developing creative universe rather than a completely finished statement.
SCORE/Good: Obsidian Ecstasy is an ambitious and stylistically bold project that demonstrates Rebel G Society’s strengths as a producer and sonic architect. While the songwriting could benefit from greater lyrical depth and variety, the album still offers a compelling glimpse into the darker and more experimental direction of the project. If future instalments of this trilogy build upon the stronger moments found here, particularly the calmer and more emotionally driven tracks, Rebel G Society’s evolving musical world could become even more engaging and distinctive.
[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]
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