In early August of this year, R&B/Hip-Hop artist Blackbear released his newest EP (extended play) Cashmere Noose, a highly anticipated move (at least by me). For those of you who are not familiar with him, he has emerged as a sort of hipster-neo-R&B artist, similar to Bryson Tiller or Tory Lanez, except Blackbear actually raps about himself and his life events, and of his major pieces of work, this one has, by far, the most insight.
To start the album we have "Sniffing Vicodin in Paris," a very interestingly titled track, especially after what I just told you. In the song, he talks about how his time as a celebrity is running out, as it is also running out very every other celebrity, but he is going to enjoy that time while he can. He later states, "Sniffing Vicodin in Paris never felt so euphoric," stating that being a celebrity and being famous is great, while it has lasted him. He also talks about how fake and horrible some celebrities are, saying," I don't want to go, to Kylie Jenner's party, I don't want to go, every girl look like a Barbie acting like a hoe," showing his honest belief and witness accounts of unauthentic behavior. I believe this is kind of a peek into a side of him showing how different he is compared to all of these other celebrities, and how righteous he believes he is compared to everyone else.
"Sometimes I Want to Die" is the third song on the album, reflecting on his lifestyle before he entered a stage of depression and un-importance. He talks about how much fun he had, how interesting his personality and beliefs were and how passionate about those around him before he realized that none of that matters, claiming he wants to die. Kind of religious feeling is this track, citing the children's bedtime poem "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" while also talking down worldly possessions, like money, drugs, and girls, using phrases like "Take all my money out the ATM and start a little bonfire" and "I was a liar and a thief, had opinions and beliefs, but I'm off that now." A first for Blackbear, as a really dark, haunting side of his thought processes breaks it's way through the other joyous, upbeat tracks you can't help but dance to.
I felt like I had to review this album, as I've talked it up to many of the people around me, and what better way to show validation in my opinion than to analyze and elaborate on the depths this upcoming artist portrays every time he even makes a beat. The EP is great, despite it being only six songs and 16 minutes long in duration, and actually provides much insight as to why celebrities rise, exist and fall by his own accounts, as well as some reflection on choices he's made and how they have affected him and persuaded him to feel one way or another.
