Written and recorded from late 2015 through February of 2017, Rain II is Chad Michael’s second officially distributed project, and a continuation of his first release, the brooding, exploratory EP, Rain. The 26-year-old, Tucson, Arizona native has continued to mold and evolve his considerable range as an artist, performing in multiple venues across Los Angeles, California (his current home), and broadening his cast of contributors to include skillful, well-placed verses from Venice Beach duo Private Party and Maryland’s K.A.A.N. Rain II showcases Chad’s keenness for biting wordplay and vivid storytelling through both rap (Hollywood, They Said), and chorus (Make Me Legend, Run Away), as he continues to find new and intoxicating ways to interweave them both within every track. Expansive, shadowy production from Denver-based producer D. Boy and Oregon-based Emotion provide ample space for exploration, and Chad finally seems to have found his style while also pushing to expand it further. This project serves as a step forward and Chad Michael’s most complete work yet, from its production through its vocals and engineering. Arranged precisely and intelligently, Rain II is certainly deserving of a dive deeper than the surface, as themes and connections continue to appear from the shadows of a late-night journey through a young man’s burning, electric psyche.