Oblivion

Detroits Black Noi$e thrives on the energy of several varying forms of music, having played in hardcore punk bands as a teenager as well as producing hip-hop beats and dance tracks. First coming to the attention of the underground rap mixtape scene by providing beats for emcees like Deniro Farrar and Remy Banks, his first vinyl releases, for Detroit-area labels Portage Garage Sounds and Vanity Press Records, demonstrated his skills at producing off-kilter club music, from hazy house to twisted electro. He reached a wider audience through his contribution to Earl Sweatshirts universally praised 2018 release Some Rap Songs, then became the rappers touring DJ, as well as the first artist signed to Earls Tan Cressida imprint. Oblivion, Black Noi$es first release for the label, is a short collection of sludgy yet intricately crafted beats graced by appearances from an impressive roll call of guest rappers and singers, including Earl, Danny Brown, duendita, and Pink Siifu. While none of these tracks would feel too out of place on any of the featured artists own releases, its clear that they play a supporting role to Black Noi$es vision, providing fleeting, stream-of-consciousness thoughts and sometimes nearly blending in with the beats themselves. Now you see me, now you dont, Earl appropriately raps on the 80-second vignette Mo(u)rning. Liv.es guest turn on the gorgeous The Band feels like a refreshing stroll through a park, and while it sounds languid and relaxed, theres more soul to it than the average track youd expect to hear in an anonymous lo-fi beats play list. The empowering, relatively dramatic Glitch features deep yet dreamy singing by duendita over a strange push-pull of choppy beats, mangled bells, and the singers own warped voice. The more aggressive tracks come later, including Danny Browns woozy, snapping 1999 and a standout appearance from Tennessees bbymutha on the commanding Mutha Magick. Cousin Mouths Dragon Dance is a poetic comedown to this brief but invigorating trip. ~ Paul Simpson