Ivan L's "Stand Alone Complex" Proves His Confidence In The Journey
Ivan L, Vito, or IV, as many call him, has to be one of the hardest working artists in South Florida, if not the hardest. From what I can count on Spotify, last year alone, he released 8 albums, 3 EP’s and numerous singles — that’s more than most artist’s entire catalogue after a 20-year career. With a consistency comparable to Curren$y’s, I don’t see him slowing down this year, or any time soon. Fresh off the release of his last album, This Ain’t No Deluxe, which dropped just 3 weeks ago, he’s back again this Friday, February 26th, with 14 brand new tracks for his new album Stand Alone Complex.
THE ALBUM
Judging from the amount of work this man produces, the title of this project shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. You have to have an intense focus and work ethic, or some kind of “stand alone complex”, to efficiently put out music at his level.
The album opens with an anime-reminiscent intro on the title track that immediately tosses you into a journey through IV’s mind and lifestyle. Confident that he’s up next, he makes it clear that he doesn’t care if anyone’s currently sleeping on him — he’s playing the long game. On “Section 954”, the listener joins Ivan L in a coupe with the top down while cruising through Broward and getting high down “Airport Road”. When we get to “Beer Flu 22” featuring Ace Picasso, the tempo kicks up a notch and we get blessed with that signature Vito flow. On the next track, “My Bag”, it feels like Ivan’s performing it while hanging out of a helicopter that’s flying over Los Angeles! The Bro Life head honcho keeps the same energy and turns Super Saiyan on “Gohan vs. Cell”; but reminds us he is still a vulnerable human, saying “Sometimes I cannot go on/Sometimes I feel like Gohan”.
If your neck hasn’t cracked in five places from nodding your head by this point, then as Lil’ Wayne put it, “He ain’t talking fast, you’re just listening slow”. Right before switching gears a bit, on “We Got The Juice Now”, IV bullies his haters and doubters over a 36 Mafia-inspired production featuring Ghost The Young Sage. On “Feel the Vibe” he introduces a segment for the ladies featuring a tough verse by GeminSZN. The next track, “Sunshine” continues on that love tip and almost feels like an interlude or break in the album, aided by stellar vocals from Whitney Sinae. Vito quickly about-faces though, claiming “Ain’t No Luv”, featuring frequent collaborator, Brizzle Worrell. Check out their recent album How to Be a Playa.
Shit can get real pretty quick, but IV’s always going make sure you’re vibing and hit you with a “Vibe Check”. If songs could talk, then this one would sound like a hype man asking the crowd, “You still rocking with me or what?” This song feels like Vito hopped back in the Delorean just to chin check you real quick. The next song “Sk8tin”, featuring J-Serve, marks the start of the outro of the album. This becomes more evident on “Ride The Wave”, which almost sounds like a farewell and promise to his fans, backed by Keem Singing, that he’s going to keep “riding the wave” and enjoying the journey to success. It feels like Ivan L has found comfort in change and looks forward to it. He ends the album on some BBQ cookout vibes with “Good Day” featuring me, JAKX, if you can believe it. With all the albums and songs IV’s always working on, it’s hard to guess where your song might end up when you collaborate with him. It came as a huge surprise to me, I had no idea I’d be on this album, let alone be the last voice everyone hears before it ends.
The most impactful part of the album, in my opinion, is the “outro”, or the last three songs, as the album closes out with ideas of growth and enjoying “the journey”. I think Ivan L found comfort in change and growth while creating this album and gained confidence in his inner strength — his stand alone complex. I believe this album can inspire listeners to believe in their selves and trust the process.
THE INTERVIEW
Tune in tomorrow, February 25th, at 11:00pm to @dirty5ive’s Instagram Live — we’ll be having Ivan L on #D5LIVE for and interview hosted by JAKX. We’ll be talking about his new album and crazy work ethic among other topics.
Stand Alone Complex will be available on Friday, or Thursday at midnight if you want to be exact, on major digital streaming platforms.
**UPDATE** Watch full D5LIVE interview with Ivan L!
WRITTEN BY JOAQUIN PINEDA @1991JAKX @DIRTY5IVE
FOLLOW @IVANLRHYMESWELL @BROLIFEMUSIC