Photo Courtesy of Waxatl
Written By: Oliver Heffron
Atlanta newcomer Waxatl displays a multi-faceted musical repertoire on his self-produced Static, the frontman/rapper/producer oscillating between southern rock influences, psychedelic funk, and contemporary trap to present a unique and trippy sound on his debut project. The talented frontman for Sherryl’s Lips, a frequent collaborator with The Bloody Mary Situation, and longtime rapper/producer combines his abilities across genres and instruments to create a compelling solo portrait across a proficient 22 minutes.
Photo Courtesy of Waxatl
The album’s intro, “Leave Me,” evinces the feeling of a concert opening as Waxatl shreds massive guitar riffs over a slick bassline and a mind-bending reverberated loop. “Love Song” introduces Waxatl’s hypnotic voice as he slithers into melodic pockets over heavy 808’s and sliding percussion in a late-night trap manifestation of romantic desires. “Dna” combines these different musical proclivities into an enticing harmonic bed of guitar melodies, spacey samples, and snappy trap-grooves, which highlight Waxatl’s unique syrup-gurgling twang on the track’s higher end. “The Luckiest Penny in the World” and “Stanky Tuesday” demonstrate Waxatl’s virtuosic production and musical abilities, stepping away from the mic on these instrumental jams that highlight his beat-making and guitar playing in moves that feel like improvised concert transitions.
“I-85” might be the most impressive track on the project; soothing acoustic guitar plucks, wavey electric riffs, and a pulsating bassline centralizes Waxatl’s entrancing vocal melodies and lyrical imagery, sharing his connection to his hometown. This synthesis of talents and influences is what makes Static a standout debut and Waxatl our Dangerous Artist of the Week.