Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Few indie rappers are getting the sort of buzz that SK No Edit has been attracting as of this season, and it’s pretty obvious why when we take a look at his brand new single “Head Case,” which is out this October everywhere that highbrow crossover rap is sold and streamed. SK No Edit doesn’t pull any punches with us in this studio gem; contrarily, he wears his heart on his sleeve and gets right down to business without having to lean on the metaphorical jargon that many of his brethren in the underground employ when making new material. He doesn’t have time for any enigmas in “Head Case,” and those who appreciate a frills-free listening experience will probably find it as amiable as I did.
It’s one of the more understated elements in the song, but the guitars and their rich tones undeniably add a lot of depth to the instrumental backdrop. You could make the argument that their addition doesn’t have to be present for us to feel the emotion in SK No Edit’s performance, but in a track that celebrates the minimalist model during a period in pop history that has embraced something quite different by design, it’s a noteworthy attribute. He didn’t slash all the meat away from these bones, and that’s what makes “Head Case” different and more electrifying than any of the other alternative rock, hip-hop, or pop music that’s caught my attention out of this scene in the last couple of months.
SK No Edit’s vocal attack is intense for how melodic it is, much more so than it was in the past, but I think it’s important to point out that it’s not steeped in the sort of bombastic aggression that often seeps its way into the output of the underground’s most promising young players. He’s still learning how to be a disciplined songwriter while avoiding the pitfalls that come from restricting his creative experimentalism, but judging from how far he’s come in such a short time, I think that he’s probably going to have a complete hold of it sooner rather than later. We’re coming up on a crucial turning point for alternative music and hip-hop specifically, and artists like this one are going to be the driving force behind the next chapter.
I’m very excited to hear an album from SK No Edit, because if it’s littered with material that is along the lines of what we hear in “Head Case,” it could very well be one of the more enthralling listens to come from the left side of the spectrum in a long time. This young man has a lot of moxie, a free spirit that doesn’t seem to back down from anything, and possesses a forward-thinking attitude that will not only exploit his best qualities for all they’re worth but further define his sound to be as original and unique to his personality as it can be. I’ll be keeping a close eye on his progress, and I recommend that serious music fans do the same.
Sondra Watanabe
