Raw Soul — Still High…: Track-by-Track Album Review

Raw Soul can rap. That comes through early on Still High…, a nine-track album where technical ability, reflective writing, and appealing production give listeners plenty to appreciate. What is less consistent is the performance that brings those ingredients together. There are stretches where his cadences feel confident and comfortable, followed by moments where the delivery sounds hesitant or overly measured. That unevenness shapes my reaction to the project: I respect the craft, but I do not always feel pulled back toward the songs.

Born in Vancouver with roots in Tripoli, Libya, Raw Soul describes his work as an exploration of life, relationships, and mental health. The cover’s subtitle, “A Brief Overview of a Man Hiding in Plain Sight,” offers a fitting introduction to that inward-looking approach. Personal subject matter gives the album a foundation, but openness alone cannot carry every track. The strongest moments come when his writing, vocal rhythm, and hooks work together naturally. Here is how the album lands, track by track.

1. Run Free

“Run Free” opens with a classic boom bap beat and an encouraging level of confidence. I like the movement in Raw Soul’s flow and the way he works through his cadences. The double-syllable rhyming gives the performance some technical texture without making the opening feel like a pure exercise in showing off. It is a solid first impression of someone who has spent time developing his craft.

The vocal mix holds it back, though. His voice does not cut through the instrumental as clearly as I want it to. When a rapper is working with those rhythmic details, the listener needs to catch the words and the shape of the delivery. Bringing the vocal forward would help the confidence already present in the performance register more strongly.

2. Still High

The title track has a smooth beat, but the hook feels more complicated than it needs to be. A chorus can contain strong writing and still struggle to stick. Here, I want a simpler central phrase or a more immediate rhythmic pattern that gives the listener something to grab onto. The song would benefit from a clearer distinction between the detail of the verses and the accessibility of the hook.

There are also passages where Raw Soul sounds as though he is reading the lyrics rather than fully inhabiting them. That is an impression of the performance, not a claim about how he recorded it. Slight hesitation in the delivery makes some phrases feel less settled. More familiarity and conviction in those moments could make the same writing connect better.

3. In Need (of Healing)

This is the first major highlight. I love the vibe from the entrance, and the concept connects with me. Raw Soul changes his flow every few bars, creating movement while keeping his cadences controlled. Those switches give the verses enough variation to hold my attention without disrupting the laid-back feel.

The chorus is another strength: catchy, relaxed, and relatable. It shows how effective he can be when the hook gives the listener room to settle into the song. At this point, it is my favorite track. Even here, though, a broader concern starts to emerge. I am hearing plenty of good technical rapping, but fewer individual lines that stay with me afterward. The delivery and songwriting work well on this track; more memorable phrases would give it another level of impact.

4. Skyscrapers

“Skyscrapers” is a step down for me. The beat has a vibe, but it becomes the main reason to stay with the song. Raw Soul’s delivery feels choppy in a way that interrupts my connection to the performance. Some phrases do not seem to settle comfortably into the rhythm, leaving the vocal feeling less natural than it does on the previous track.

That distinction matters because changing cadences is not automatically a problem. On “In Need (of Healing),” the movement keeps things engaging. Here, the phrasing feels more labored to my ears. I could have done without this track in the sequence. The instrumental provides an appealing setting, but the vocal performance does not give me enough to make this one essential.

5. Perseverance

My main issue on “Perseverance” is a small timing choice that draws attention to itself. Around the phrase “how many L’s,” the pause feels misplaced. To my ears, putting the space before those words would give the phrase a stronger setup; the pause afterward makes the rhythm feel slightly off.

It is a specific criticism, but these details matter in rap. A pause controls anticipation and determines where a line lands. The words may be in place, yet the delivery can weaken their effect if the emphasis arrives awkwardly. This moment points toward one of the album’s clearest opportunities for improvement: refining the placement of phrases until they feel instinctive. The issue is less about adding complexity and more about making the existing rhythm land cleanly.

6. I'm Going (Letting Go)

“I’m Going (Letting Go)” brings the album back up. I love the flow and the overall feel of this one. The performance is easier to get into, and it stands among the strongest songs here. Compared with the tracks where I find myself focusing on awkward phrasing, this lets me enjoy the song as a whole.

It is also a useful reminder that Raw Soul’s voice can work for me when the flow feels right. His vocal tone is not consistently my preference across the album, but this track makes a stronger connection. There is value in studying what makes performances like this feel comfortable and carrying that assurance into the less effective songs. This is one I would point to when explaining what he does well.

7. On My Way

“On My Way” keeps that stronger stretch going. I like how the verses lead into the chorus. The transition gives the song a sense of continuity, with the hook feeling like a natural destination for the verses. I also connect with the message, and the chorus gives it an accessible center.

The line about doubling his effort is one of the moments that catches my ear. Across an album where I sometimes admire the rhyming more than I remember the actual bars, that stands out. It gives me something specific to take away from the writing. This track shows the benefit of pairing a clear message with an effective hook and a verse structure that supports it. The parts work together, making the song more memorable.

8. Lenses

I like the beat on “Lenses,” and I appreciate the vulnerability in the lyrics. Raw Soul is willing to open up, which gives the track something worth engaging with. The flow, however, feels too slow and repetitive for me. As the song continues, that limited movement makes it difficult to stay invested in the performance.

A slower delivery can leave space for personal writing to breathe, but I need more variation in emphasis, cadence, or vocal energy here. Without it, the song starts to drag. This is another track I could have done without, despite respecting the honesty behind it. The vulnerability deserves acknowledgment; the musical presentation still needs to sustain attention. For me, this one does not quite get there.

9. To Whom it May Concern

The closer leaves a better final impression. I like the lyrics, and the talking between verses is a particularly effective touch. With the kick and snare quiet during those passages, the change in arrangement creates space and gives the voice a different kind of presence.

That contrast helps the ending feel considered. It also demonstrates how an arrangement decision can add interest without requiring more elaborate rapping. The spoken moments break up the structure and allow the track to breathe. After some uneven points in the sequence, this is a nice way to close the album.

Final Verdict — 7/10

Still High… earns a 7/10 from me. Raw Soul has technical skill, a willingness to be vulnerable, and several songs where the flow and production connect well. “In Need (of Healing),” “I’m Going (Letting Go),” and “On My Way” are the clearest highlights.

My main reservation is replay value. His voice does not consistently connect with me, and some performances need more conviction. Conviction does not have to mean shouting; a laid-back delivery can still sound assured. I want fewer hesitant phrases, more natural timing, simpler hooks where needed, and more lines that demand to be remembered. His personal subject matter is not inherently too niche. The stronger songs show that it can connect. More consistent execution would make those ideas harder to leave behind.

Check out the album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/1bLa2tMFx9xkR7UUm3UCA0?si=JZ3S2S3bSlO7y8rXFU6m_w

Disclosure: This review was commissioned through Music Feedback Pro. Payment covers the time spent listening and writing—not a positive rating. All opinions are my own and reflect my honest assessment of the music.