MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 6/26/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Odd Prospect, Luverne “PUSH ME TO THE FLOOR!"
I would be amiss to tell you that if you plan on listening to this week’s playlist entries along with me, this is the one you should go into blind - it will surprise you. Go give it your ears, then come back to me. “PUSH ME TO THE FLOOR!” begins with a pleasantly woozy, psychedelic-influenced groove. It mascarades first as this funky, chill-hop piece. The listener shouldn’t be fooled, though - Odd Prospect’s all-caps title is signalling their typical style correctly. Any relaxed pretenses crafted lusciously and deliberately by Luverne get ripped away by the song’s transition to hardcore. When it re-enters the sonic light, “PUSH ME TO THE FLOOR” lands somewhere in the realm of pop-punk (though Odd Prospect maintain a harder-than-typical edge throughout.) Odd Prospect and Luverne effortlessly mix these genres here, with that gorgeous introduction maximizing the intensity of Odd Prospect’s work. The production and mix are high effort and high reward, making for a beautiful collaboration and a listen as fun as its music video.
Dorbor Wulu “Time Games"
Whispery, slick indie vocals rap over trap beats with an 8-bit flavor in Dorbor Wulu’s “Time Games.” This track is the artist’s latest release, a single that dropped in May 2024. It’s easy to get into Dorbor Wulu’s vibe on this track - the flow is syllabically consistent, the chorus easy to grasp onto and sing along with while being relatable in subject matter with lines like “I don’t got time for games.” It’s implied swearing (“I’m not here to fuss, I can’t give two…”) as a deliberate, lyrical choice bolsters our understanding of the carefree attitude of the protagonist, who softly reiterates that they value real communication and good energy in their partnerships. This song literally manages to say “I don’t give a fuck” in a way that feels like gentle parenting the people around you, instead of coming in hard with disses. That isn’t Dorbor Wulu’s style, as a self-described “new age hiphop poet” who keeps vibrations high and uplifting.
Rx Cowboy “Deathdrop"
What Rx Cowboy does in “Deathdrop” is right up my alley. The chopped up weight of “Deathdrop” and the album it was released on, COWBOY KILLER, makes me think of JPEGMAFIA. Rx Cowboy is post-Soundcloud, post-Industrial, creating something that pushes genre boundaries. It’s extremely experimental, yet mixed to be incredibly melodic. He notably delves into the roots of industrial music as metallic, heavy sounds can be heard keeping the beat in place of traditional percussion - this adds a unique and much appreciated flavor to “Deathdrop.” Drum fills are replaced with what sounds like a drill being worked into sheet metal. Amped-up tones alongside slightly distorted vocals, with synthesized bass cranked all the way up, make this song fit for any stage that features dark EBM acts, while still being alt-hiphop. High production layering gives “Deathdrop” its exciting movement. Tension builds in a mid-song bridge where things get ever-so-slightly stripped back; rap is replaced with singing about dissociation, and short, fuzzed out screams pump up the tempo. It’s resolved with a full return to form - aggressive rapping comes back with cheekier, more audible bars. I love any experimental artist that doesn’t shy away from blasting my ears off, so hats off to you, Rx Cowboy.
94 West “Your Door (On Your Own)"
94 West’s “Your Door (On Your Own)” features richly synchronized instrumentation with psych-rockesque guitar solos and strong, soulful lead vocals. The main melody has a nostalgic rock’n’roll feel, while the entire piece is atmospheric and pretty, somber and vulnerable. The chorus escalates the song in brief bursts with harmonized calls of “You’re on your own,” which feel simultaneously haunting but complete and satisfying. This single is 94 West’s latest release, dropped in May 2024. According to their Spotify bio, the bandmates are childhood friends - this history surely makes a significant and positive impact to their sound. 94 West are admirably producing Midwestern indie rock that has multi-generational influences, spotted in those smooth solos and their groovy song structure. I hope to see some live shows in the cards for this band soon.
Squinny “Picnic"
High energy riffs quickly build upon one another in swirling tones, dancing right beside space age synths in Squinny’s “Picnic.” This track, from the EP The Vacation, is spacious and expansive, feeling like a fresh take on the instrumental indie/psych-rock genre. Squinny use a progressive structure, flowing effortlessly into soundscapes beyond the listener’s expectations. There’s something fantastical about all the layers in "Picnic,” which keep rolling into one another with an infectiously cinematic feel. This song is grandiose in the best way, with sloping bridges laden with fuzzy basslines and constant, magical synth which sprawls outwards deliciously over classically played strings. When you think Squinny must have revealed every trick in the bag, “Picnic” switches up on you again, never allowing the listener to become too familiar. Each replay of “Picnic” invites you deeper into their complex sounds, which are truly delightful. I feel certain that Squinny are casting a spell on me with this one.
Reed Benjamin “Straight Up”
Pleasantly quivering, delay-forward synth leads guide “Straight Up” towards its hiphop beat. Trap snares join in to influence the tempo as Reed Benjamin’s lead vocalist sings smoothly with a touch of genre-defining, charismatic post-production effects on his voice. Rapped verses are smooth with an old school flow, while choruses sound like contemporary RnB. The beat is fun and optimistic, carrying forwards sentimental lyrics about the strength of his romantic partnership - “You recognize something inside of me that makes me believe in me … / Straight up, I just wanna love you forever/Straight up, I just wanna spend our lives together/I know we got some haters, straight up/That wish we would break up, straight up…” The is the ninth track on Reed Benjamin’s latest album, BENJAMIN, released in May 2024, and is an upbeat love song that you can dance to.
