Monsters in the Closet cover

Monsters in the Closet

Swollen Members · 2002

56 min · 20 tracks · alternative hip-hop

Aggressive beats and intricate wordplay collide in a raw, introspective exploration of personal and communal struggles.

Why this album works

The album debuted at number 5 on the Canadian Albums Chart, showcasing Swollen Members' growing popularity. Additionally, it received a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year in 2003, marking its significance in Canadian hip-hop culture and highlighting the duo's impact on the genre.
Best for
wave-like pacing with peaks raw introspection through wordplay communal struggles in lyrical depth
Context
Released on January 1, 2002, 'Monsters in the Closet' is Swollen Members' third studio album, following their breakthrough project 'Bad Dreams'. At this point in their career, the group was solidifying their presence in the alternative hip-hop scene, building on their previous success with more polished production and deeper lyrical themes.
Stylistic neighbors
Danny Brown· Kool Keith· Earl Sweatshirt

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Intro 0:49
  • 2 Steppin Thru Standout 3:25
  • 3 Breath 3:50
  • 4 Fuel Injected (remix) 3:50
  • 5 Battle Axe Exclusive 2:34
  • 6 Heavy Thinkers Standout 2:28
  • 7 English Breakfast 2:23
  • 8 Red Dragon 3:01
  • 9 Bring It Home 3:14
  • 10 Zenith 2:36
  • 11 Members Only 2:23
  • 12 Act on It 3:36
  • 13 Long Way Down 3:29
  • 14 Temptation 2:38
  • 15 The Capitol 1:51
  • 16 Crunch 2:21
  • 17 Northern Lights 4:03
  • 18 Rockapella 0:52
  • 19 Freak Fantastic Standout 3:13
  • 20 New Details 3:33

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata