My Terrible Mind – Talha Anjum and Umair’s most ambitious album yet

Fans of Young Stunners know the creative magic that happens whenever Talha Anjum teams up with producer Umair. The duo has worked on numerous singles, multiple EPs, and a full-length album, Open Letter. Featuring heartfelt lyricism and raw introspection, the album cemented Anjum as one of desi hip-hop’s greatest writers and established Umair as a rising force in catchy music production.

In 2024, Anjum and Umair collaborated on various projects, including an infamous diss track titled Kaun Talha, which was meant for Indian rapper Naezy. Their buzz reached new heights when they announced their signing with American rap legend Nas’s label, Mass Appeal.

The result of this signing is an expansive double album titled My Terrible Mind. Anjum and Umair not only do what they do best but also experiment with a wide range of song styles, from gangster rap and trap to melancholic guitar ballads and modern disco beats.

The album features 16 tracks divided over two discs and many interesting musical moments. Some are reminiscent of the old ways, while others are entirely unexpected. As expected, Talha Anjum delivers sharp, evocative lyricism, blending street-smart colloquialisms with poetic depth. Umair’s production - mixed and mastered by Johkay - stands out for its versatility, blending bass-heavy beats, vintage samples, and modern musical elements to complement Anjum’s fiery delivery.

The songs stylistically range from old-school gangster rap to modern trap hip hop, slow-burning melancholic guitar-based songs, and even modern disco-inspired beats. The use of samples is very tasteful and works well with Anjum’s fiery lyricism. The album truly displays a musical expansion at play for Anjum and Umair, both looking to expand their horizons beyond what is expected.

Disc One

Disc One leans heavily into classic gangster rap vibes, with fast-paced flows, hard-hitting basslines, and biting disses reminiscent of West Coast legends like Tupac and Kendrick Lamar. The production sounds big, with bass-heavy beats, vintage samples, and sudden beat switches, making things enjoyable as the album flows.

Anjum’s lyrical ferocity is the highlight of Disc One, as much of it is focused on fast rap flows and an unwavering attitude with its fair share of disses and cuss words. Some of the instant standouts from Disc 1 are “Back for More,” “Plug Shaart,” “5 AM in Lahore,” “Crazy Maybe,” and “30 Shooter.”

Disc Two

Disc 2 shifts gears, embracing slower tempos and introspective themes. The tracks highlight Anjum’s poetic vulnerability, paired with Umair’s minimalist, ambient grooves in the duo’s first effort “Open Letter”. Talha Anjum instantly hooks you with his infectious lyricism, using a combination of colloquial street language coupled with poetry that sounds like some Urdu literary figure wrote it. The production expertly executed by Umair also takes a deep dive into slower, minimal ambient grooves, focusing on the heartfelt lyricism on display by Anjum.

Disc Two feels like a production showcase from Umair, featuring some ambitious musical experiments from both him and Anjum. While tracks like 'Heartbreak Kid' and 'Incurable Sadness' shine with creative ambition, others struggle to leave a lasting impression.

Verdict

Talha Anjum and Umair have come out with a solid first outing for a big international hip-hop label such as Mass Appeal. Anjum’s lyrical diversity, ranging from angry gangster to heartbroken God-fearing lover boy, combined with Umair’s genre-bending production and musical chops, results in a bold album that balances experimental risks with consistent quality. It’s impressive how Anjum and Umair consistently deliver high-quality music, even with their prolific release schedule.