Mura Masa has drenched his 2020 sound in realism and regret. Through a fractured, tangled web of nostalgia, punk and indie-electronica, his sophomore LP ‘R.Y.C’ (Raw Youth Collage) challenges audiences to reflect on and dissect the multifaceted message and aesthetic of his sound.
Musing on modern-day culture as recycled material, heavy ‘90s influences ride prominently throughout an experimental album. Collaborating with vocalists and producers including Slowthai, Clairo, Tirzah, Georgia and Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell, ‘R.Y.C’ is a change of pace, mood and direction for Alex Crossan.
Where on 2017’s ‘Mura Masa’ A$AP Rocky, Charli XCX and Desiigner joined the ranks for an impactful instant classic, here he ruminates more delicately.
Teenage Headache Dreams, Vicarious Living Anthem and No Hope Generation provoke adult memories of times past. A sense of the world pre-internet is explored with the simplicity of the analogue arrangements. At a time when most artists are attempting to redefine trends, Mura Masa is reverting back to the surf-inspired noise-scapes of lo-fi garage bands.
This is DIY electro-emo produced for a generation of bud-wearing, multi-device-wielding, social networking kids who will never know the beauty of yearning for the unobtainable or inaccessible. Nocturne For Strings and a Conversation and In My Mind are poignant, beautiful moments.
Typifying the intentions of this material—to evoke a state of presence, drowning out technological distractions of our day to day—a meditative state settles. Slowthai's Deal With It is also a brilliant blend of the obnoxious and effortlessly on point. Each track plays out like a moment from an internal narrative; relatable, inspired by a grounded sort of creativity.
‘R.Y.C’ requires an open mind, with its off kilter instrumentals, jarring rhythms and tinny production serving up a daring and initially inaccessible sound when compared to Crossan's early releases. It’s sure to leave fans hugely divided and evoke some disdain from critics, but this is a brave body of music that fronts talent and strength of character.
Mura Masa Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu February 20 2020 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Sat February 22 2020 - MANCHESTER O2 Victoria Warehouse
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