Awol One and Factor have teamed up to create a few decent beats, but not much else in a wholly unremarkable album. Owl Hours features the kind of low, slightly-sluggish music that can bring the night to an end.

I find myself feeling quite indifferent to these tracks. The music does nothing to pump the listener up. If I had to define this music further, the closest genre I can identify this as is ‘drum and bass’ but, at best, a “lite” interpretation of the style.

On a positive note, the music of Owl Hours is technically clean and well-mixed. Factor is a good producer and has done a fine job at creating simple, repeating beats and rhythms to match Awol One’s style. It is straightforward hip hop – no airs or embellishment. Perhaps that fact is why this album sounds so pedestrian. Awol One’s vocals are soft and a bit monotonous. The only instances where the words make an impression are on the few tracks that feature guest vocals (Myka 9, Aesop Rock, Tash, E-Swift, Xzibit and a few others). When Awol One dos make the effort to be varied, as in the song “Glamorous Drunk,” the result just doesn’t sound right.

Awol One will probably always have the support of his devoted Los Angeles fan base and maybe the real talent shines during live performances, but moving beyond an underground status for this hip hop artist is still a long way ahead. It may be an unattainable end if he doesn’t push harder to make a real impression.

Track Listing:

1. Glamorous Drunk
2. Celebrate
3. Official
4. Stand Up (feat. Myka 9 & Aesop Rock)
5. Up Downtown
6. Waste the Wine (feat. Tash & E-Swift from Tha Liks)
7. Back Then (feat. Gregory Pepper & Ceschi)
8. Destination
9. Darkness (feat. Sunspot Jonz, Gel Roc & Jizzm)
10. Brains Out (feat. Xzibit)
11. Sunset Sandwich