October’s End, A Canadian Distraction, and What’s Yet To Come In November

CAMPBELL HARVEY

           
I’m just going to come out and say it, I am guilty. I’m guilty and so many people are too. One Friday a year we can all say we got “GOT”, in all caps. The man is 36 years old and he still manages to ruin my music taste for a month with his albums that grab my full attention. I, like so many others, had it good. My playlists were well rounded, I was listening to all types of news sounds, I went to concerts. Then all of a sudden we get Her Loss and I don’t know where it all went. I couldn’t stop listening. But that’s not what this post is about. This post is for what we may have been distracted from, and what is coming up. Check out below some interesting tracks and releases from the past few weeks, and what’s in store for November:

Paris Williams - “Stunts”

The first track off this list is one I meant to get to a while ago. Michigan popstar Paris Williams embodies so much of an artist that I love to see. An artist so well branded and has built just a strong identity and liking within the growing Kansas City music scene, Paris makes music that breaks down the definition of bedroom-pop. DIY artists and producers run through so many obstacles with music and what I love about Paris is his elements from all genres. Y2K, grunge/metal, and popstar vocals are all present in “Stunts”. The single is impressive and I’ve loved seeing the rollout for his music over the last year. This track is the last before the EP, which I expect features other great singles “Hopscotch” and new tracks as well.


Swavay - Almetha’s Son

In the last article, I expressed my thoughts on rising ATL rapper and lyricist Swavay, along with the genius behind his rollout and promotional TikToks. Since, he has dropped his much anticipated project, Almetha’s Son. There is so much to unpack in this one. Start to finish, it is one of the better rap albums I have heard this year. The James Blake intro transitioning into “GO SHORTY” is chilling, setting the tone for the whole project. The album features two more singles, “JUGG” being a bouncy trap record, and “FACES”. I say this with the straightest face, that song is nasty. So explicit it needed a label version, it is  a soothing love making song with an outro skit to crack you up.

One thing I have seen to be so successful for Swavay’s delivery and flow is the amount of beat switches. Multiple tracks on this album utilize so many skits, more insight on Swavay’s life, and the infamous “yeah” adlib. I personally have three aesthetically conflicting favorites from this project, and they all run in the back end of the album. Lyrically, “RUNAWAY” is beautiful and its production only boosts it. “FOREVER” features a remarkable Destin Conrad verse, and lastly “FRIENDS” is a smooth cruising and smoking song. I don’t care what is left in the year, this is the album I needed and may find itself in my top 5 projects. Swavay has so much potential to become a household name and he is putting it all together. Overall this is a must listen album, someone will find a track or 15 that they love.

Flozigg - “FLOOR” with Icee Red

Hailing from Orlando, Flozigg has appeared on my blog twice now. His vocals and range of sound is so catchy and addicting. His EP, Beige, introduced fans to his afro-influenced garage pop. I was greeted by his indie rock take on R&B in the track “4Life”, but now I am drawn by so much more. The bouncy and soul inspired artist gave fans an energetic dance track in “FLOOR”. This track is so intriguing because what does this mean? The robotica/AI influences meets a drum heavy dance hall beat. A masterpiece of a beat, vocal range out the ass, and catchy lyrics. Bravo.

What music is there to look forward to? Destin Conrad drops his sophomore project SATIN on 11/11, CrashJordy releases an untitled track today, and an end of year Paris Williams EP.