Kweku Collins releases ‘Loud Moon,’ the anthemic & atmospheric follow up to singles, ‘Blue Gold’ and ‘Then Spring,’ the title track from his new album, available now.
The first series of arpeggiated guitar notes form the rhythmic root of ‘Loud Moon’ which evolves quickly from the introduction into the thoroughly spellbinding verse. Afro-Latin hand claps and selectively placed bass drum hits form an enchanting foundation for the precise lyrical delivery by Kweku and guest vocalist Ajani Jones.
Kweku co-produced the track with producer, singer, and artist Jamo (James Brenner), who wrote the catchy guitar riff hear in ‘Loud Moon’ while still in middle school with the beats built around it incoming to fruition in 2020. The collaboration between Kweku and Jamo can be heard throughout the entirety of the album, including the music video for the title track ‘Then Spring’ on Feb 2, and ‘Blue Gold’ released on Jan 13. Glimpses of the fullness of “Then Spring” was revealed in 2022 with ‘Tangerine,’ and ‘A Tale of the Twin Flame.’
Furthermore, the “Then Spring (Side A)” EP brought listeners’ attention to standout tracks like “Dig” as well as “Storms” which features the vocal talents of Tatiana Hazel and delves into Afro-Cuban beats and a 3-2 “clave pattern.”
“On a digital scale, I like the idea of an album coming out in episodes,” says Kweku. “The way many consumers interact with digital media is changing. It’s something we haven’t tried yet, and it’s an idea I want to explore further in the future.”
If you only listen to one song from the album, ‘Loud Moon’ is an obvious fan favorite, but you’ll still be doing yourself a disservice. “Then Spring” is full of gems, a feat not to be taken lightly in a world full of aggressively marketed singles; Hearing a modern album that provides such a cohesive feel without sacrificing the character of each individual song is certainly a rarity. It’s no wonder that he was placed on the 20 Rappers Under 20 List by Pigeons and Planes, or why his debut album, “Nat Love” was so warmly received by fans and critics alike, including Pitchfork.
Find ‘Loud Moon’ on our Spotify playlist and ‘Then Spring’ on our YouTube playlist. Check out the album below.
Daniel Warren Hill is an American musician, writer, and motivational speaker. He is best known as the frontman for Washington DC area Alternative Rock band YellowTieGuy, as co-founder of Capitol Groove Collective, and increasing the exposure of artists on a global scale through his work with Alchemical Records.
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