Listening to Decsville is like stepping into a half-remembered dream—vivid, strange, and occasionally disorienting. Declan the Celebrity has poured himself into a kaleidoscope of sounds and moods, moving effortlessly from the warped, video game–like textures of “Ivory Rap” to the lively, almost cartoonish horn bursts of “Devils Tango.” There’s an adventurous spirit running through the album that’s hard not to admire, even when the execution wobbles.
The album opens with “Ivory Rap,” a slow, meandering introduction built on distorted samples and phased beats. Declan’s flow is subtle, almost whispered, blending effortlessly with the atmospheric production. Yet the structure feels loose—sometimes aimless, like he’s improvising without a map. That drifting, exploratory quality continues on “That Potion,” which leans into a slow, tribal groove. Funky as it is, the track’s transitions can feel clunky, and the intro lingers longer than necessary, leaving the listener in anticipation of a momentum that takes its time to arrive.
Many tracks on Decsville carry a dreamy, hazy quality, particularly “Real National Parks” and “Jimmy Hopkins,” where ambient backdrops and soft instrumentation give the songs a floating, trippy feel. These moments work best when featured collaborators—like Angel the Alchemist or DoubleO—bring focus and presence to the mix. Without that anchor, Declan’s vocals sometimes drift too far into the ether, creating an ethereal mood that occasionally teeters on sleepy rather than captivating. Yet there are glimmers of his potential: tracks like “The Carousel Pt II” and “Rats” reveal moments of confident, catchy flow that lock into the beat with surprising precision, hinting at the artist he’s capable of being.
Texture and instrumentation are both a strength and a challenge across the album. Songs like “Bushmeat” and “Placemats” incorporate nostalgic, New York–inspired string arrangements that add life and depth, while “Valium” and “Supreme Legwear” layer soft background vocals and subtle synth flourishes to enrich the atmosphere. The problem is that many of these ideas are revisited without full development, leaving some tracks feeling uneven or undercooked. Similarly, “Devils Tango” and “Bucky Irving” feature playful horn and drum patterns that are fun in isolation but occasionally misalign with Declan’s vocal delivery, echoing the structural inconsistencies seen elsewhere.
What makes Decsville genuinely interesting is Declan’s willingness to wear his influences openly. There are undeniable flashes of A$AP Rocky–style flows, Tyler the Creator–esque spacey cadences, and Drake-like introspection, particularly on tracks like “Valium” and “WTD?”. Featured collaborators, including King Gus and Anthony Kannon, often elevate these tracks, filling in gaps when Declan’s vocals recede into the mix. When he finds his groove—confident, melodic, playful—as on “Supreme Legwear,” “The Appalachian Song,” or “Placemats,” the results are vibrant and compelling.
The album is a mix of highs and lows: dreamy, chill, sometimes funky, occasionally messy, and often unpredictable. It rewards repeated listens, though patience is required. Transitions can be rough, intros occasionally overstay their welcome, and production choices like random ad-libs or abrupt background cries can be distracting. Yet beneath the rough edges is a clear artistic vision—Declan is carving out a world that feels nostalgic, surreal, and surprisingly catchy.
If precision and tightly structured tracks are your priority, Decsville may frustrate. But for listeners drawn to experimental flows, moody textures, and a little chaos woven into hip-hop, the album offers plenty to explore. Declan the Celebrity is crafting a vibe that is unmistakably his own: a little awkward, a little dreamy, and wholly fascinating.
Takeaway: Decsville is a beautifully messy, experimental journey through hazy beats, nostalgic textures, and playful flows. It rewards listeners who lean in, let the music unfold at its own pace, and aren’t afraid to press repeat. It’s an album where chaos and charm coexist, and in that balance lies its most compelling magic.
NOTABLE TRACKS:
Supreme Legwear
The Appalachian Song
Placemats