Our friend Myles Bullen collaborated with producer Mosart 212 on his new EP, Looking for a Body.
I wasn’t familiar with Mosart 212 before this, but I feel blessed to have discovered his intricate instrumentals.
This is one of those “peas in a pod” moments where an artist and producer come together to form a perfect union. Neither overpowers the other, they both play off of each other seamlessly to form a true “project”.
Let’s take a look at Looking for a Body, track by track:
*Album art by Tara Rook – tararook.com
“Sing” is a fully instrumental intro that begins with a sequence that reminds me of switching radio stations in an old car. There’s a really cool vintage feel to the beat that serves as a lively introduction to this collection of songs.
“Holographic Butterflies” immediately shifts the mood as a chill, synth laden track that discusses topics like the lack of healthcare and the detrimental effects of criminalizing marijuana.
This song is a great example of the activism and outrage Bullen has coursing through his veins. Not content to stand by while the establishment exploits us, he breaches subjects that most artists stay away from. He isn’t here to play it safe.
On top of his clear concern with the world’s well being, Bullen is one of the only hip-hop artists I know who demonstrates empathy in his music. On this track he even bothers to ask ” How you doin’, man? Are you ok?”
“Missing/Airplane” is another instrumental piece with vocal samples. A sort of interlude to the beginning of our journey. There’s something space-y about the effects on the synths and the spoken word samples provide continuity with the rest of this release.
“Stargazing Asterisk” begins by asking the question “What is nostalgia?” The track features SB the Moor with a really interesting vocal layering effect on his part. His singing/rapping delivery reminds me a bit of Chance the Rapper. Even when discussing heavy topics, Bullen manages to keep a mist of positivity over everything he touches.
“Sky/Clap” has a beautiful orchestral instrumental with strings that bend but never break. It’s almost like the movie Fanstasia is the background for Bullen’s catharsis. After multiple listens, this may be my favorite track off Looking for a Body.
The vocals and the strings dance together in an alternate universe that only exists in Bullen’s mind.
At one point, he exclaims “We are nothing other than our choices!” which is an interesting sentiment to ponder.
“Forwarded Message” is a self-aware example of folk hip-hop at it’s best. An almost 8-bit beat bounces throughout the track and accentuates Bullen’s relentless bars. It’s as though he wanted to go out with a bang, proving even until the last second that his lyricism is near unmatched.
The sample-heavy beats that march the halls of Looking for a Body remind me of MF DOOM or Atmosphere. Bullen’s ability to tell stories with this music is only matched by vets like Sage Francis, who recently shouted Bullen out on Twitter for his work on Healing Hurts.
Getting acknowledged by one of your inspirations is a big deal. It can provide confidence and reassurance when we need it most.
Myles Bullen will never compromise his beliefs, that’s clear in his music. He has so much to say and if you just take a moment to listen, you may find common ground. At the very least you may open your mind to a new way of thinking. That, after all, is the true growth we all strive for.
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