The effect of Pharcyde’s debut opus, Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, still resounds mightily today; elements of that good time brand of hip-hop are traceable to left coast groups like Black Eyed Peas and Jurassic 5. Yet, after Pharcyde’s fun-loving Bizarre Ride, and its complicated follow-up, Labcabincalifornia, the wheels fell off, as the group succumbed to a host of ails: internal strife, and the ever present industry rule #4080—label troubles.

 Its only fitting that the vibe of Pharcyde’s, Plain Rap, is one of survival; surviving the disorientating transition into manhood “Evolution”, and “Misery”, which details the group’s very public split with Fat Lip, where Tre laments—”I’m not down with your forte/of disarray/you make my spirit decay/cause my focus to stray.” Plain Rap is dissimilar to any of Pharcyde’s previous releases, as it introduces yet another wrinkle in the group’s ever-changing sound. While this new direction revolves around minimalist synth whispers that highlight the trio’s uncanny chemistry, and positive word play. Their is also an emptiness that lurks within these skeletal arrangements, as tracks like “Evolution”, and “World” are so stripped they become translucent, and barely register. Some much needed aural diversity appears in the form of Showbiz, “Frontline”, and J-Swift ”Trust (remix)”, and “Network” feat. Black Thought, as both swoop in to momentarily break up the minimal feast.

Evidenced by the lack of outside production, and guest appearances, Plain Rap was undeniably a therapeutic, and protective endeavor for Romye, Tre, and Imani. But like any group (Brand Nubian, N.W.A.) that has lost a vital cog in their dynamics (Fatlip), there is a level of incompleteness to “Plain Rap”, that is to be expected. Lesser evils have doomed other groups, and just the fact that Pharcyde has weathered the storm speaks volumes. “Plain Rap” is a very consistent, but underwhelming return. Surely, better things are on the horizon.