The cover art to JORD4NEVERDIED’s new single, “SHOW NOT TELL/ALL NIGHT.”
Photo credit: Spotify
With music becoming more and more decentralized by the day, the task of keeping up with it all can feel daunting, even on a local level.
That, however, is not necessarily a bad thing. The more music available at the tip of our fingers, the more variation, which means one is bound to find something that they jive with.
With this column, I want to celebrate tracks that have recently graced my playlist, especially during long drives in my beautiful 2004 Ford Taurus. All these songs are made by artists who are from Massachusetts.
Feel free to email me with songs that you have been listening to recently. I believe music listening should be collaborative, so I’m always interested in learning other people’s tastes.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these tracks as much as I have.
Invada: “Show Me Tha Money” EP
I am already sort of breaking my own rules with this. I can already see the message: “Ryan, I thought ‘The Big 3’ meant you were only going to highlight three tracks. An EP should not be involved!”
I would understand that perspective, but also, it is impossible to ignore Invada’s glossy style of celestial rap music on his new EP “Show Me Tha Money,” which is as slick as the laser dance in “Ocean’s 12”: https://tinyurl.com/s7rb3k88.
The EP is only three songs if you don’t count the 15-second “Breaking Bad” clip, making this earworm of a project instantly re-playable thanks to the rapper’s vibrant energy and elasticity.
Invada, who is part of one of the most exciting rap collectives, Brockton’s own Van Buren Records, has mastered a particular brand of sparkling melodic rap similar to super-producer Pierre Bourne.
Across the EP, Invada’s autotune-drenched medley is even more conspicuous and a little bolder in appearance than Pierre’s, and the vibes he brings are destined for some type of opulent, nocturnal ambience. It’s the type of EP you play with your crew to hype yourselves up for what will sure be an electric night out.
Just make sure that wherever you go, you have some kind of money; otherwise, Invada will point out that “your pockets looking rougher, like they’re made of sand.”
Stream the EP here: https://soundcloud.com/invadaxx/sets/show-me-tha-money
Dayvii: “Comfortable!”
I have yet to find a music video that utilizes the backdrop of a famous Springfield location better than Dayvii’s “ALL BACK!” The reflection of the Memorial Bridge on the Connecticut River looks more idyllic than usual as Dayvii posts up under streetlights with shades rapping in one of the most smooth-talking cadences out of the 413.
While “ALL BACK!” is a definite highlight from the Springfield native’s 2024 project Nobody’s Coming to Save You, “Comfortable!” is the one I keep coming back to for its spectral, 808-heavy instrumental and Dayvii’s deadpan, yet melodically understated delivery. If Invada’s EP is a party starter, this song is for the ruminative night owls looking to extend those lighting-in-a-bottle moments.
It’s never felt so cool driving through Springfield: https://tinyurl.com/cxmyv4dy.
JORD4NEVERDIED (feat. Alexandr.): “SHOW NOT TELL/ALL NIGHT”
Speaking of lightning-in-a-bottle moments, no one captures the heady allure of a party better than Boston-based artist JORD4NEVERDIED. His vocals can be equally graceful, stately and intoxicating all at once, and all those attributes are on full effect on “SHOW NOT TELL/ALL NIGHT.”
What’s just as impressive is DJ/producer Alexandr.’s ability to craft a beat that elevates that vibe even more with seamless transitions between dance, R&B and a spritz of Jersey club. It’s the perfect cocktail when you’re having a cocktail.
Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/2wnz2s3v.
