Photo by : Quintin Cooper
You know that an album is a hit when the first notes of the intro song hit you like a solid wall, and Elijah Rich‘s recently dropped album “Ten Thousand Hours” is just that. Released on February 21, 2025, this 10-track collection is a combination of chill yet fiery tracks telling stories that are something personal from the artist’s mind, making it unfiltered, raw, and undeniably real. One can assume that through this album, he did not just craft a bunch of sound into these pieces but has successfully infused his heart and soul into every note and line, taking complete control of the writing, recording, mixing, performance, and mastering of the album. Bold, right? But Elijah Rich has managed to impress through this collection, so you better dive in.
You see, upon the opening notes of the first track, “Coat in the Trunk Intro,” I know for a fact that this collection would be something different from the rest of the projects that I’ve listened to. The buildup is just crazy! It starts with a quiet sound from that electronic synth, which will set the mood for anticipation for the whole track. Then, the performance kicks in, and the clear and conversational delivery by the artist will draw you in to listen for more. The vibe just kept on building and rising, and as the song progressed, the sound erupted, and from there, you’re now hooked to listen for more.
“Pray For You” comes in with the signature ambient and chill sound as the song’s intro, and just like in the first track, Elijah’s delivery is fiery and sharp – it’s unparalleled, no questions asked for that. The repetitive line “Money can’t buy style, Imma have to pray for you” is a clear message that somehow, for other people, a class couldn’t be bought, and that, along with the smooth beats and fiery delivery of the artist, delivers a one banger statement to the listeners!
Then, “Achilles” follows with its interestingly seductive charm for a track. This piece comes in much slower than the other tracks on this project, making the whole vibe of the song more sensual. Again, Elijah showcased his effortlessly smooth delivery, which punctuated each line for the listeners to enjoy. This is something that is incredibly unique for me, which is why this one is a standout track for this collection.
Now, with “Blueface,” this track comes in with a switch-up. This track has a kind of switch wherein the performances were just turned way up higher than the usual, making the vibe and the energy of the song more fiery and gritty than the others. It featured another great artist, Dalton Noon, who brought in a fresh layer of tension and fire to the track, which elevates the style that Elijah has injected into the whole piece.
Slow and enthralling piano notes paired with slow beats are always a great combination for me, and with the song “Don’t Push,” the artist has made a perfect mix of all the good things. This track served as a breath of fresh air from the collection because of its calming vibe brought by the steady instrumentation and delivery of the artist.
This is what I personally love about “Ten Thousand Hours”: the way it perfectly balances the chill vibe, the clean delivery, and the fiery messages. The instrumentation is nothing too overpowering, which made the whole listening experience easy and enjoyable. And with other tracks like “Deja Vu,” “Failure,” “Throwing Shade,” “FOMF,” and “Move,” which are also featured in this collection, these tracks will surely add to the great listening experience that you are to have with Elijah Rich.
Ultimately, with “Ten Thousand Hours,” Elijah Rich has managed to create a statement that fiery messages can still be delivered through chill bops that are enjoyable and easy to listen to. It sounds incredibly refreshing; nothing is too much; every mix works perfectly with each other element. Elijah has an ear for this, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the effort and authenticity he infused into each of these tracks. People need to hear this. You need to listen to this. Ten Thousand Hours deserves your full attention, so check it out on Spotify! Follow Elijah Rich on his social media accounts and connect with this artist! Stream Ten Thousand Hours by Elijah Rich now!
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About the Author
Born and raised in one of the 7000-ish islands in the Philippines, a self-proclaimed professional fangirl, with a degree in Biology. She probably annoy the people around her so much for not speaking and speaking too much. A frustrated writer, yes!
