Truth by Design is the Toronto trio of emcee Mizery, producer DTKS, and DJ Lupan. Timeless is their debut EP, and it’s one that shows promise. There’s not a weak leak between the three, and if you went down a checklist, they would receive passing grades. However, the problem with Timeless is one of the simplest to diagnose and one of the hardest to fix - they haven’t found their voice yet.

Truth by Design clearly have a debt to early nineties hip hop, most notably Wu Tang Clan. So does every other hip hop artist to start making music after 36 Chambers was released. Where I have trouble with Timeless is that I don’t get a sense of who Truth by Design are. There’s a subtle but huge difference between listening to someone and being able to tell who their influences are, and hearing someone who is just doing what their idols have already done. Listening to their EP, I can pick out production points that sound like RZA’s piano lines or sparse drumwork, or lines that sound just like Method Man’s cadence. My advice to Truth by Design would be to throw everything out and start over. Begin by telling everyone where you came from, and don’t be afraid to show some emotion. Many of the best hip hop songs are particular to a time and place, but then transcend because the personal truth inherent within makes it resonate beyond the artist. “C.R.E.A.M.” still resonates today because of the pain and the struggle that come out of the lyrics and production. This is what’s missing on Timeless. Nothing sounds bad, but nothing sticks around after the EP is done playing.

I hope Truth by Design stick with it, because I believe there is some talent and technique there. Now we just need to wait and see if they can take this and push themselves forward to that next step.