Skip to main content

UMI - "High School" [prod. Cooper Holzeman]


It's easy to fall into a routine of listening to the same music on repeat, especially when there's such an eclectic mix of dope tunage available across the Internet. You get into the groove of emotions centered around a handful of artists, and forget to look outside that frequently spun playlist. So, it's always a nice treat when something new falls into the sonic airwaves that catches your attention and peaks your interest.

Such was the case when I came across UMI and her latest release, "High School". With no previous knowledge of the artist or her style, I had zero expectations when I hit play for the first time - a rare excursion in this day and age. As the video began, and her debonair vocals drifted upon the Cooper Holzeman-provided production, I found myself spellbound by the collective aura of playful purity encompassing both UMI's prose and the lighthearted bop of instrumentation.

The wistful "High School" does a pristine job capturing the energy and aesthetic of those school days, certainly allowing a number of viewers to experience a bit of nostalgic sentiment as the visual plays through. After reluctantly agreeing to attend a party, UMI is preparing to approach her love interest as a duo of cops raid the festivities. While fleeing the scene, UMI and the aforementioned boy link, racing to safety behind a tree. Directed by Eddie Mandell and Not Cade, "High School" is a silly and fun video, littered with genial humor and finely implemented cliches.

UMI's engaging delivery dances with youthful perceptions of love and romance, reflecting on past ideals while mindfully calling into awareness one's growing and maturing into deeper conceptualizations. Even if your high school experience wasn't one of parties, it's easy to connect with the ever-evolving consciousness presented within UMI's self-composed content.

"High School" is available now on all major streaming platforms. If you're digging what you hear, be sure to check out her SoundCloud to enjoy a nice collection of older material.

Enjoy the video below.

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Raz Simone - "Clout" [prod. Anthony Danza] (Video)

Fresh off the heels of another trip around the sun, Raz Simone comes through with his first visuals of 2018. In typical Raz fashion, the Black Umbrella founder holds nothing back on "Clout", addressing a myriad of subject matter with a confidently calm yet simultaneously aggressive delivery. Simone has always been one of my favorite artists to cover, thanks in large part to the layered presentation of his content. With "Clout", an essay could be composed on both the track itself and the accompanying video - while both seem almost overly simple upon first glance/listen, the song and video cover a lot of ground over the course of five and a half minutes. The visuals are split between two backdrops - Raz being "studied" in a research facility and Raz rapping in the street. The vibe of the production on "Clout" syncs up perfectly with the dreary, simple visual of Simone in the rainy streets...appropriately carrying a black umbrella. It's...

Ian Matthew - "Ashtray"

Beyond creating good music, the most vital characteristic in any artist is - in my opinion - growth. And growth comes in many forms but, more often than not, the greatest growth comes from recognizing shortcomings; from falling and getting back up, learning from the highs and lows of the evolutionary process. "Ashtray" is the first joint I've heard from Ian Matthew that makes me feel like dude is truly stepping into his own artistically. And I mean that with the utmost respect. The latest drop from the CT-based artist features Ian taking a few big steps back from a stereotypical, bar-heavy hip-hop sound, instead embracing a smooth style that is highlighted by some passionate crooning. And, man, it works really  well. Backed by some light acoustic production, Ian is able to allow the emotion to emanate from his vocals, capturing the attention of the listener with his raw delivery. There are enough emcees filling records with catch-as-catch-can lyrical prowess, ma...

Grieves - "Let It Through" (Video)

In September, Grieves liberated new music for the first time since releasing his  Running Wild album in 2017 and now the Rhymesayers Entertainment artist comes through with the official visual treatment for "Let It Through". The single denotes both the artistic range of Grieves and the personal growth and self-discovery the wordsmith has been experiencing over the course of his journey here in the physical. Packed with relaxed melodies and a calmly delivered labyrinth of wordplay, the sentimental "Let It Through" is presented with a composed, collected and self-aware delivery. Grieves is experiencing a state of acceptance, finding peace with what is rather than attempting to swim against the current of life.  Throughout the record, one gets a sense that Grieves is learning from - and growing through - the chaos that has encapsulated and shaped his life. It's vital to recognize the importance of documenting the destruction if one desires to showcase the ...