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Austin Fox 狐 Journeys from Betrayal to Triumph with New Album, ‘Ranger396v’

By Cynthia Gross

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia-based rapper Austin Fox 狐recently released his new album, Ranger396v, and it is a genre-blending, vibe-seducing collection that explores triumph, love, and betrayal. In the age of singles, Austin Fox 狐’s 16-track project showcases the rising talent as a prolific songwriter who creates music on his own terms.

“The concept of Ranger396v occurred earlier in the year when I went on a really beneficial fishing trip with my grandfather, whose boat model is Ranger396v,” Austin Fox 狐 notes. “At the time, I was unknowingly soon to be laid off from my job of four years and had taken some time off to get away from the office drama.”

Ranger396v consists of a series of vignettes, with most songs clocking in at under 3 minutes. From the opening track, “shalom to my people,” listeners discover that this is not your average hip-hop album. The use of jazz and soul-influenced progressions, as well as trumpet with a mute effect and saxophone, create a warm, immersive, and sensual experience that result in an intriguing tension between the hard-hitting lyrics.

Austin Fox 狐’s vocal chops and smooth cadence take center stage throughout the album. The supporting vocals are arguably a clear runner-up. The opening track features choir vocalizations reminiscent of the best of gospel music. “palm talkin,” another standout track, features a groovy bass line and soulful backing vocals that would feel at home within a classic R&B track. The album includes collaborations with a number of special guests, including Adé Hakim and ZekeUltra.

“Way before the COVID, man, they preyed on your existence,” Austin Fox 狐 sings in “palm talkin,” commenting on social injustices and inequities.  Later, he notes that his growth as a person and success as an artist has occurred “through practice,” and “every level up was through the madness.” The empowering closing line of the song is a sample from Rocky Balboa – “It ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

Ranger396v chronicles Austin Fox 狐’s journey from seeming defeat to triumph, allowing him to emerge stronger and better. Reflecting further on time spent with his grandfather that inspired the album, he explains, “From that trip, I was able to harness the concepts of betrayal, love, and triumph that accurately described the experiences I was going through this past year. This album is also a testament to my spirituality and how much that has grown in recent years, as my grandfather is a pastor.”

Austin Fox 狐’s latest album carries an important message that is sure to resonate widely with audiences: if Austin Fox 狐 can turn his adversity into opportunity, so can you, and there’s no better time to do so than now. Follow our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist for more great music featured on the site.

Cynthia Gross

Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.

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