South London-based emcee Ultra_Eko combines Rave Culture and Hip Hop on his latest furious fire-offering VARIANT

The track captures the panic that has consumed society in the last two years, with razor-sharp barbs that cut to the very bone. There is a certain old-school meets contemporary rap sound to this anthem. With nods to some of Mobb Deep’s most brutal, blistering attacks on the mike, he holds nothing back. Definitely more in the hardcore side of things, Ultra_eko’s approach combines pieces of UK and American East Coast influences into something that is undeniable his. On the recent side of things, he brings up the thoughtful tenor of JPEGMAFIA’s lyricism alongside its blatant disregard for a clean linear sound.

From the first moment, the track gains an unruly gait. Those horns hit hard, for they lurch forward with a rabid-eyed stare. Upon his vocals entering the mix, the sound gets fully fleshed out, with each additional element rolling through with ease. Production has a gritty urban quality. Much of the sound has a greyscale monochromatic approach, akin to being trapped in a vast never-ending city maze. Beats hit so hard the track goes deep into the red. A desire to leave, to be alone, to escape this place pops through the entirety of the narrative. Yet it proves to be somewhat futile, as there is no escape for this place. Quite a hard piece it holds nothing back offers no comforts and is focused on the brutality of the immediate situation.

‘Variant’ shows off Ultra_eko’s uncanny ability to capture the unease that resides in the world right now, done with unflinching honestly.

Ultra_eko – Variant via iTunes/Spotify

‘On Trial, Part One’, is set for release on the 25th of March.

Also, check out Urban Vault Interviews – Ultra_eko

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