An Edgy and Genre-Bending Single from CJ Stowklyn and Wifisfuneral
CJ Stowklyn just dropped a new single with Wifisfuneral, and this track has a very unique sonic approach to it.
The whole thing is super heavy-hitting, with deep-rooted beats that are so hard that they almost feel decimated, along with unique flows both instrumentally and vocally.
This is a single that is rooted in hip-hop, but branches out into different areas at free will. It's not exactly like a standard radio-style hip-hop song, but instead breeds an underground edginess that you don't hear often enough.
I think that's part of the appeal with tracks like this one. They are taking on this sort of underground tonality so that they're allowed to be freer. Instead of confining themselves to something that you would hear on the radio on a normal basis, they are focusing on music with fewer boundaries around it.
I think this is what we can expect from the future of music in general.
There is an almost rambunctious approach to this during certain vocal sections, and it gives the track a lot of character to grab onto.
This is definitely a little bit experimental and slightly outside the box, but it definitely lures you in with this unique and very driving production style.
The whole thing comes across as super intense, and I think that's what draws you to it more.
"facetime" blends several approaches from hip-hop music with a seamless approach, and in doing so, it really ends up hitting certain sweet spots, again bringing in this sort of soundscape that has no walls built around.
The production is a key element to why it's got the edginess that it does.
This track was very well thought out, especially in terms of how the synths and beats would come through. Everything has a heaviness to it. The tone of the track is very heavy-handed in general, so that energy is very infectious.
CJ is someone who likes to sculpt sounds.
The wrapping and lyrical phrasing are fluent, and give off a youthful Swagger that showcases a bit of an evolution in the genre.
There are certain effects on different vocal parts, scattered throughout the song, but it all comes together like puzzle pieces, and in the end, you get a track that has its own atmosphere about it.
Because of the synths, keys, beats, and vocals all in combination with each other, you end up with a combination that does indeed stay in the hip-hop realm, but also blends this sort of hyper underbelly.
This is part of why the song stands out. It's the blending of genres with an intricate approach and a natural touch.
There's a sort of eeriness about the track as well. It almost feels like you're listening to samples taken from a horror movie at times. I love this effect because it adds a bit of darkness to the track, which in turn, once again, breeds even more of that edginess, and the cinematic part of it is really cool to me.
As I said earlier, I think the future of music is going to be more like this. Not locking into one specific genre but instead, bringing a bunch of them together and creating something a little new, a little fresh, and a bit invigorating.
This is definitely a track that brings that natural hip-hop swagger and almost hyperactive intensity together extremely well.
I doubt you for anything quite like this yet, but I could be wrong.
This specific kind of sound is a bit new to me. I'm very familiar with hyperpop, and of course hip hop, but this unique approach is really sort of refreshing and a bit exciting as well.
I definitely can't wait to hear what comes next from CJ.
After I listened to the song a few times in a row, I realized I wanted to speak with the artist about how it was put together and where it actually came from.
So, while you check this track out, have a read-through of our interview with CJ Stowklyn below.
Don't miss out on this single.
Where did this single come from and what was it about?
It wasn’t really “about” anything at first. It was more like catching a signal mid-transmission. By the time I understood what it meant, it was already finished.
I am hearing a few different styles on this release. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I don’t really think in names as much as energies. Certain artists like Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West showed me how far you can stretch a sound without it breaking, but after that, it becomes more internal than external.
Are you performing live right now?
Not in a visible way. Everything’s kind of building behind the scenes right now. When it shows up, it’ll make sense why it was quiet.
How did this all start for you as an artist?
It started before I had a name for it. Just fragments, recordings, ideas, moments. Eventually it turned into something that felt like a language I understood better than anything else.
Did you work with a producer on this release, or was this all you?
It was mostly self-contained. I like when the process feels closed-loop, no gaps between the idea and the outcome.
What’s next for you? Working on more new releases?
There’s always something forming. I don’t really separate “working” from “living” at this point. The next releases are already in motion, just not fully visible yet.
What kind of advice would you give to other up-and-coming bands or artists trying to get heard?
Focus less on being heard and more on being undeniable. If it’s real enough, it travels on its own timeline.
What would you say people can expect to hear on this album?
Something more intentional, but not more predictable. It’s clearer, but still leaves space for interpretation.
Before we go, what would you want to express to fans of the music?
Just stay with it. Not everything reveals itself the first time. Some of it isn’t meant to.
CJ Stowklyn (@cjstowklyn) • Instagram photos and videos
