Written by Jaden Reynolds
In this series of reviews, Jason Marecki and I are covering each major Armand Hammer release in preparation for their new album, Mercy, out November 7th.
We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is Billy Woods and E L U C I D’s seventh album released as a collaborative effort and my personal favorite work of theirs. Released on September 29th, 2023, the record is the duo at their most creative yet nihilistic. The record delves into criticisms of late-stage capitalism and ask the question “Why are we profiting off of basic human necessities?” The title itself, We Buy Diabetic Test Strips, embodies this, referring to the for-profit health care system present in modern America. The pure artistry of this record comes from the questions it asks, begging the listener to take a deeper look into the world around them.
The dark and unforgiving production is the highlight of the album. With production credits from JPEGMAFIA, EL-P, and Kenny Segal, the beat selection varied, yet consistent. Even though every producer mentioned above has a wildly different style from one another, each instrumental fits the creative vision of the album perfectly.
“Woke Up and Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die”, produced by JPEGMAFIA, is an absolute highlight of the record. The track questions the dystopian nature of modern technology with the chorus “Woke up and asked Siri how I’m gonna die / She replied.” Lyrics also delve into nialism, the feeling that nothing matters, and the constant passage of time, with Woods saying, “Life’s a trip, if you live long enough you gon’ see it all / Life’s a blip, I flew in under the radar / Beat up spaceships, sliding under the light of a dead star.” Its lyrics like these that make Billy Woods revered, not only as a rapper, but a poet. JPEGMAFIA’s production embodies this same theme being haunting and though-provoking. The instrument is ambient in nature, leaving the listener space to get drawn into the world it’s created.
The further you get into the record, the more aggressive and abrasive every element gets. Songs like “Trauma Mic” and “Y’all Can’t Stand Right Here” are great examples of this, seeing the duo show off their versatility. We’ve seen them rap on hard hitting and distorted beats before but never to the level of “The Gods Must Be Crazy”. This is another highlight of the record and a fan favorite. EL-P, from rap duo Run the Jewels with Killer Mike, produced one of the wildest beats I’ve ever heard. Billy and E L U C I D don’t hold back, laying down some of the hardest hitting verses of their careers. They are known for rapping off beat on most of their tracks, but this one feels oddly on beat. For avid Armand Hammer listeners, the pay-off catches you off guard. It’s also one of their most repayable tracks in their discography.
“Total Recall” slows the record back down, letting E L U C I D and Wood’s delivery really shine, and the instrumental is transcendent. “Don’t Lose Your Job” continues the slow production but places and emphasis on themes of poverty and the reality of the America we live in. “Switchboard” is wonky yet cohesive, tackling the feeling of monotony and anonymity. “The Key is Under the Mat” was the original closer to the record and its hard hitting yet soothing, thanks to JPEGMAFIA’s production. Every track is unique and a highlight in its own way. The pure range of production and lyrical content is incredible. I don’t think there is another record I’ve heard that’s able to be so varied but so cohesive at the same time.
The track I want to talk about most though is “Doves” featuring Benjamin Booker. “Doves” was added to the record after the initial release as a new closing track. I say with full confidence that it is one of the most stunning pieces of art ever released. All the nihilism and negative emotions surrounding this record culminate in a 9-minute post-rock rap fusion. Benjamin Booker’s voice is haunting, complimented by a Godspeed You! Black Emperor type instrumental that is completely different from anything I’ve ever heard in a rap song. Woods talks about death and the important of putting yourself and your people first. It’s a gut-wrenching package that I encourage everyone to give a try, no matter the person. It’s one of those songs that you can’t help but think about after, regardless of whether you liked it or not.
As I grow older, my taste evolves and changes drastically, but something has always stayed consistent; Abstract and experimental hip-hop has always and forever will be my favorite music genre. We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is a record that comes once every decade. It rewrites what people think rap can be. It asks hard questions no one else is willing to ask. It sees Billy Woods and E L U C I D at the peak of their careers, and it reminds me every time I listen to it why I love this genre so much. The more I listen to We Buy Diabetic Test Strips, the less I find wrong with it. Moments that seemed a little off to me, now seem intentional. The record has grown to be a part of me, and I believe it is the absolute pinnacle of Abstract Hip-Hop.
10/10
Favorite Tracks: Woke Up and Asked Siri How I’m Gonna Die, When It Doesn’t Start With a Kiss, The Gods Must Be Crazy, The Key is Under The Mat, Doves
Check back next week for a joint review of Mercy by Armand Hammer and The Alchemist, by Jason Marecki and I!
You can read last week’s review of “Haram” Here.