By Jacob Ezra
Dzh- “Practice”
The New Jersey rapper-producer continues to expand his limits with “Practice”, a noisy, progressive track that showcases his versatility. The wall-of-sound approach and grimy samples almost recall an old school RZA beat but with clean, crisp drums and booming 808s that bring the track into 2023, or even a bit ahead of that. It’s a tour-de-force of hard-hitting production and forceful lyricism that makes it difficult to ignore Dzh’s “Practice”.
mynameisntjmack- “Leak”
mynameisntjmack, hailing from Virginia, drops off a stellar 2-part song called “Leak”. The artist goes into depth about his personal trials and tribulations atop a beat that showcases two disparate yet cohesive sounds. Beginning with a manic segment that implements a feeling of urgency with brisk flows and chaotic percussion, “Leak” builds before dropping into a smoky, laid-back ending that conjures a moody atmosphere for jmack’s introspection. “Leak” is an emotive, harrowing listen that showcases his diverse sound in the process.
Francesca Wexler- “LOVING U”
Francesca Wexler drops off another track this month, the genre-bending “LOVING U”. There’s no denying the Toronto-via-Lagos artist’s songwriting abilities, and with each track she seems to come up with a new inflection or melody that captures the ear in a refreshing way. Atop fluttering, futuristic production that builds in atmospheric layers, she once again lays down irresistible vocal lines that draw the listener deeply into the track’s textural, nearly aquatic soundscape.
Jxylen- “DON’T WAIT”
Jxylen’s “DON’T WAIT”, off his recently released DIVINE ORDER: ACT I feels cathartic in tone, as he lets much off his chest atop soulful production from E.N.G. Creation. His lyricism remains a standout as there are many layers to unpack within “DON’T WAIT”’s dense, vivid verses. The new video enhances the song’s catharsis with shots of open fields and an emotive performance from Jxylen. There’s a sense of relief to the track and video, while it also dives deep and remains unafraid to bare its soul.
LÉA THE LEOX- “Purpose”
LÉA THE LEOX delivers a heartfelt, thoughtful track with “Purpose”, a song that details her path of self-discovery and stresses the importance of connecting with what matters most in life. The acoustic R&B joint gives a clear picture of the songwriter’s mind state and personal journey atop pensive guitars and elegant strings. A moving song with a character-rich vocal performance from LÉA, “Purpose” makes for a relatable listen for many.
Ricky Mapes- “Heaven”
Bronx artist Ricky Mapes’ release “Heaven”, produced by PERFECT10, continues a prolific run for him with a sleek, atmospheric boom-bap cut. Retaining the essence of the lyricist’s gritty NY sound while adding in crisp percussion and airy samples that give the song a certain gloss, “Heaven” balances the rawness out with a smooth sheen. Paired with Mapes’ sharp, clever lines and sly delivery, its an offering that is simply easy to re-visit.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 