Book Review: Audio Therapy
- Jun 26, 2020
- 2 min read
Audio Therapy by Reggie Johnson, published by Reginald Johnson, $14.85 paperback, 2019
Reviewed by Chris L. Butler
Reggie Johnson’s Audio Therapy is a poetry collection designed for those who find refuge in music to cope with their mental health. Johnson’s chapbook combines a series of rhythmic free form flows, with a rapper’s delivery. The structure of Audio Therapy follows a question and answer format where Johnson provides an introduction to each poem.
As the book progresses, Johnson adds musician HALFOFYOU, and photographer Elijah Horton to follow the same format to introduce each collaborative piece. These queries allow the reader to divulge themselves not only in the poems, but also these artist’s inspiration behind their creative approach to their craft. Reggie shows the reader some of the more challenging parts of his life throughout the book, in poems like “Shutter,” “Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda,” and “Triggered.” Johnson’s work employs a poetic style reminiscent of Drake, Pusha T, and Frank Ocean, creating an exciting, yet mysterious presence in the words.
While Reggie is the primary author, HALFOFYOU and Elijah Horton contribute to many collaborative poems throughout the book. Poems like “Thank You,” and “Be Yourself,” make this chapbook reminiscent of a 90’s or early 2000’s hip hop album where you could find several artists on one song. This creates a read pleasing to any hip hop fan of that era in particular. For example, poems like “Music Wasn’t Just a Friend,” combines the musical influences of Biz Markie from this group of creatives. This poem will uplift the spirits of any hip hop head, which is much needed in this rollercoaster of a year.
Johnson’s chapbook pushes the boundaries on what a poetry collection can look like by crafting poems that draw inspiration from music and photography. HALFOFYOU and Elijah Horton round out that experience, by creating a trifecta of creative wordplay and “MC energy” throughout this book. I recommend this book for any music fan or lover of poetry who can relate to the therapeutic effects generated by these art forms.
