What’s burning? #3
What’s burning? Well most likely your open fire, wood-burning stove or at least your desire for new(ish) music… we don’t play by societal time constraints. It’s getting colder in the mighty UK, as is the music I have got for you, so keep your beanies on, kids.
A place that is almost always cold resides Tzusan, a Scottish creative who dabbles in the entire process from beats to words to visuals with hypnotic effect. This one is the most recent heater so, of course, must by all editorial laws come first- I think it earns it’s recency bias. ‘The Girl With The Dragonfly Tattoo’ dropped this week, the first from an inbound project, seeing Tzusan link up with fellow Scot and RnB artist Billy Got Waves. Not the only one bringing waves to shore, Billy’s vocals separate Tzusan’s scathing speakings which many of us discovered on his last equally entrancing solo drop ‘WSPSNSYRP’, which has since been built on through various collaborative projects. Visuals from @mindwanders.art let us cuddle up closely in his cosy limousine as he trips through a world melting in capitalist consumerism and distorted reality, whatever that is these days.
A project I have been repeating recently and wanting to cover in some capacity since it’s release back in July (I know where did the time go) is Wundrop’s ‘I Don’t Need Anyone?’ EP, his first solo drop since the CMPND train set off. Reflective of the sorry state of affairs the UK finds itself in, it’s no shame to be depressed at the situation, but the social awareness in his misery is unfortunately relatable. Thankfully you too don’t need anyone else, right? Whether it’s wanting out of a rigged system, cutting populations in half or reminiscing on don’t-make-em-like-they-used-to figures like Tony Hawk, Wundrop will find some sly dig to make you crack a smile, providing you’re not too London proud. My top-pick ‘Loop De Loop’ needs no more introduction, roll it now.
Step up Birmingham’s producer-turned-emcee Dylan Gray, or dylantheinfamous for when he’s behind the decks. He’s got Argentinian beat-maker Manu Mainetti spinning this entire EP, playfully titled ‘GRAYNETTI’, with some beautiful soul-loops allowing Gray to concentrate on some more introspective spitting. ‘LUVDU’ is my first choice, although as with all these projects you might find a different warm pocket to defrost in. 0121 and proud this is Dylan Gray’s second release of the year; growing in confidence with each one he has found the front of the stage as appealing as the back after his time with rap group languid.oceans and many nights as the DJ for various Blah artists. Proper chilled out rap for these chilly times, you can slide away like evening sleet off a roof with this beauty.
Thought I’d hit a different haven with this one, again not recent but just can’t shake this heat from my speakers. Jack Danz, who’s output is simply sensational and has been for many years now, has gotten fellow Northerners 1Jack, Disgust and Fordz on ‘Echelon Ward’, a supergroup masterpiece if I do say so. “… I’m on foot like Tarantino” could be one of the funniest on the nose bars I’ve heard in a minute, and the controversial screenwriter is the title of this track as I think all involved agreed with how it hit. Danz’ movie-score inspired production has been getting a whole host of rappers and audiences captivated; bringing a new depth of darkness to a city iconically clouded by greyness, it demanded the deliveries it has on the mic to cut through like an axe through firewood- with sharpened clarity.
Though we’d finish with a slightly more sunny stop from one of my favourites in the scene. Clbrks has linked up with NickyDiesel on ‘CLBELLIC’; from Helsinki to London he provides some GTA V inspired and sampled soundscapes which CL feels totally comfortable striding across with his usual steez. ‘SPARKDALAA’ is one of ten tracks from the fleeting album that will transport you straight back to the pixelated streets of Los Santos shaking hands with a few of your controllable, questionable protagonists along the way. A more lo-fi affair and a match truly made in a San Andreas strip club; It’s hot all year round here so you can hang up your coats, use the bartenders concoctions for your hands and let this project warm your ears.
Cover photo: Billy Got Waves