Pries

With Copy, Paste, No Glue, Pries has churned out a mixtape that could just as easily pass for a debut album — it’s that good. Not only has he crafted songs with melodies anyone can sing along to, but the delivery of his raps is accessible and clear. Lyrically, Pries draws you in almost immediately on songs like “Born to Fly” and the J Carey-assisted “Sign of a Master.” On the latter, using an almost gospel-like formula, Pries describes his come-up, while Carey’s vocals fuel the track. There’s a good bit of singing here that, while not polished by any means, certainly makes the material stand out. The road to the top isn’t easy, but for Pries, it’s paved with motivation and credible experiences — all of which make for an impressive outing on Copy, Paste, No Glue.