The solo debut EP from Atlanta-based artist Rex Novi, Prologue is a fascinating success — seamlessly venturing throughout ominous pop buzzing, fervent hip-hop precision, and beat poetry headiness. Initially from Memphis, the songwriter and engineer embraces an eclectic array of influences, which span from movie composers to sound designers.
A drive to carry out ignited the discharge’s artistic course of. “Prologue got here alongside as a result of I needed songs to carry out,” Rex Novi explains. “I used to be engaged on a mission named Burial at Sea that was no the place near launch, and I felt bizarre performing songs that have been removed from performed.” The result’s an EP that represents the primary of a three-part collection, discovering unity in introspective lyrics with biting edge whereas diversifying of their aesthetical forays.
A spoken-word poetic prowess emanates on opening observe “One thing Outdated.” A minimalist blaring enhances lyrics that invoke a way of private in-between. “Dramatically I’m sentenced someplace previous however someplace new, what am I imagined to do?” the vocals set free, then transferring into descriptions of an awakening “heavy reality” that resembles a skeleton rising from the lifeless. “Terror!” continues themes of foreboding awakening, although inside one other stylistic realm solely — totally enthralling with a buzzing electro-pop griminess and infectious vocal drive, bolstered by a delectably ghostly title-touting chorus.
Views on a digital, content-driven world eat on “Be taught,” the place haunting pulses pleas to “chill the fuck out” comply with warnings of “on-line ghouls” and reminders that “this life not a film, this ain’t Hulu or Tubi.” It appears like an invigorating name to these with principal character syndrome, and anybody all-consumed basically by fantasy. Prologue is a persistently riveting success from Rex Novi, succeeding in a variety of stylistic pursuits inside persistently suave lyrical entrancement.
