By Dexter Ramos
Bladee and ECCO2K
One thing to love about Bladee and ECCO2K is that they constantly immerse themselves in every detail of their work. One look at the cover art for the album, and you’d know it was designed by none other than one of the duo.
Before the “Crest” album’s release, Bladee and ECOO2K released the first single from the project (unexpectedly) titled “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Before the song dropped, we had no idea that they’d been working on anything together.
Like many of their previous efforts, fans did not see the “Crest” album coming. It was the same story as the album’s first single. Although the project dropped unexpectedly, it has proven to be some of their best work together. Bladee and ECOO2K make themselves comfortable around Whitearmor’s production and give their fans enough new music to leave on repeat. You should hear it.
WARLORD by Yung Lean
Jonatan Hastad Leandoer is a Swedish rapper who has been making music with his friends for years now, I have enjoyed projects from Ecco2k and Bladee but I have never really been blown away by a Yung Lean project. Starz was just a little bit too long and the last three tracks are easily the weakest tracks on the record, but Warlord is just… perfect.
Yung Lean makes a beautiful, messy collage of himself on “Warlord.” A 19-year-old that’s on top of the world – fulfilling his childhood dreams. But at the same time watching that world crumble – through his friends dying, drug abuse, strained relationships and heartbreak.
“Warlord” contains Lean’s best lines, Bladee and Ecco2k’s best verses some of Whitearmor’s finest production.
VVV by SEBii
Let’s start off with this trap beat fire intro. Starts slow, SEBii fully self aware with the lyrics; it flows rather well. Pretty solid way to start off the EP, IMO.
“Winter,” I dont know how SEBii did it, but this song is like a 5 for me. I LOVE this song, the seasonal vibe of winter, with the amazing beat and the calming flow makes this a really relaxing song to listen too – even for SEBii’s more glitchcore hyperpop standards.
“Data Looting’ is pretty good – I kinda like this one actually. It starts off with the experimental glitchy synths that sebii is otherwise known for, and it flows well into his verses. Both of these go hand-in-hand and create a listenable, enjoyable, colorful banger. Like 3.0/5 for me.
“VVV” is how you set an outro for sure. Longest track on the EP – and it does in fact go pretty hard. SEBii’s vocals on this one really stood out, and the flow continues throughout the song without anything ruining it. Really good for my ears, I’m sticking this into my playlist.
E by Ecco2K
It’s been nearly two years since the release of the highly anticipated “E” by Drain Gang member Ecco2K, and to this day it’s still as abstract and interesting as when I had my first peek all those months ago. With each listen, I seemed to learn more about the illusive figure and their intentions in this album.
I’ll admit, I was initially hesitant to check out music from the quiet kid of the group, Ecco2K. I’m not sure what put me off at first, perhaps it had been the abstract and confusing posts from the “aloegarten” instagram account, or just the name of the album, an estimated symbol that was read as “E..”
I had friends that were quite engrossed in the collective Drain Gang, like I was, but none of them shared the fascination I had with Ecco2K.
While being a huge fan of “E,” I do not believe that it’s a concept album of any sort, especially not one about being on ketamine. I’d describe it as an album that’s just a whole out of body experience, as it discusses topics of disassociating, dysmorphia, and the feeling of not being accepted based on multiple reasons that are often uncontrollable. Anyway, if you couldn’t tell, Ecco2K’s “E” is a masterpiece.
