A segment where WCU Media and Culture Senior, Jamari Brown, reviews/critiques musical projects from different genres that he thinks would be great to listen to.
Genre:
R&B
“It’s not you, it’s me” by N3WYRKLA
it’s not you, it’s me – EP by N3WYRKLA (album.link)
N3WYRKLA, the Philadelphia native, has entered the industry with her feature on the hit song off of Brent Fiyaz’s newest album “Outside All Night”. The song also had ASAP Rocky on it and is one of the most streamed songs off the album. N3WYRKLA has released a debut EP called “It’s not you, it’s me”. This project is based on how toxic, lustful, and regretful her past relationships were.
Starting off this 7-song project; the intro “dumb with you” sums up the entire meaning of this EP. “I hope you die, die, die. Cause I’m no good at goodbyes, byes, byes.” You can feel the hurt and hate in these lyrics that she has for a specific someone. I’m sure everyone has gotten to a point with someone who left them internally broken so bad, they want that person to hurt 10x worse. Each song gets easier to relate to as N3WYRKLA goes into depth throughout the project on why she is feeling the way she does. I tried thinking of an artist with a similar sound, but her sound is too unique. I highly recommend this project. You are able to find It on all music streaming platforms.
Genre:
Rap
“THURL” by Kur
Kur, also a Philadelphia native, is known for his raw, streetwise lyrics and also for his passionately painful voice. Kur released his 6th album “THURL” on February 23rd, 2024. The whole album touches on him motivating others from similar circumstances. He discusses patience on the road to fame, lifestyle, and how real/solid (which is also known in Philly as being “Thurl”) he’s been along the way.
“This is for the risk takers; this is for the n****s that got off the couch because they couldn’t sit waiting. This is for the OG’s; this is for the times I was squinting and trying to watch from the nosebleeds” these lyrics from the 6th track, “Was it Worth it” addressed that even when coming from nothing; you can be right there in Kur’s shoes if you just work and stay true to yourself. He is saying “this is for” to let the people from similar backgrounds know that these are things that he has witnessed and been through too. This song and the rest of the album is filled with motivation and gratefulness for the things Kur has been through. No matter if it was good or bad.
Genre:
Soul
“Saturn” by SZA
SZA is a top artist in the music industry. She is from St. Louis, Missouri and has risen through the ranks quickly. She released a soul-touching single called “Saturn” weeks after being (what some would say) robbed at the Grammys for the Album of the Year award. Some see this song as a way for SZA to let the Grammys know that their awards aren’t needed. She can still go #1 without the accolades.
“Saturn” seems to be about SZA wanting to escape the life that she is living and the mind state she is in as of right now. Also that somewhere other than earth would be her ideal place of paradise. “This must be what hell is like, there’s got to be more; sick of this head of mine, intrusive thoughts, they paralyze, Nirvana’s not as advertised, there’s got to be more.” These lyrics express the pain and hurt that have come from her life experiences and her wanting to escape humanity norms. I’m sure there are so many others that can relate to the feeling. I know I am one who can! If you have love for artists like Summer Walker, Frank Ocean, Jhene Aiko, then this is most definitely the song for you. This is a MUST listen and can be streamed on all music streaming platforms.
Genre:
K-Pop
“With YOU-th – EP” by TWICE
With YOU-th – EP by TWICE (album.link)
TWICE, the fun and fruitful 9-girl group from South Korea, have released their newest EP on February 23rd, 2024. The group has been together since 2015 and are one of the most successful girl groups of all-time. They definitely proved it and couldn’t sound anymore in-sync than they do on this project. The project has a playful and fun feel and seems to be about the group’s friendship and togetherness. Also touching on relationships, and how much love they have for their fans.
Their first song off the EP “I Got You” does a great job with explaining the love the girl group has for each other. “No, we’ll never fall apart, even million miles apart, we were lightning from the start, and it keeps me going to know that no matter what you got me, I got you.” You can tell while writing this song and the rest of the project, the love they have for one another. It’s also apparent that they are all on the same page. If you enjoy artists like PinkPantheress, you will love this piece of work. I recommend you guys give it a listen. You can find this project on all music streaming platforms.
