Lil West + Brevin Kim - Metallic Body Language (EP)
Delaware talent Lil West caught my ear when I heard the Somedays single off his 2019 album Vex Part 1. He encapsulates rap and rock elements in a unique way. When Cal and Bren of Brevin Kim told me the three of them would be working on an EP together I was super intrigued, especially after getting a taste of what they were capable of on ‘the wedding’ remix. With flawless production from Dylan Brady (@dylanbrady) and Steezefield (@steezefield) this project is stacked with talent and sure to keep your attention.
What makes Brevin Kim so easy to listen to is their genuine personas. On Violin, which is track one of the joint EP, Bren (who Cal calls melody god) leads with a strong exposition. Vulnerable vocals with rapper concepts are laid out over nostalgic strings and quick hi-hats.
Cal enters the chat with extreme energy that makes me want to DESTROY every vase at my local HomeGoods. West adds his flare and offers a nice dynamic vocal break. I love how he is able to build off of the prior eccentric flows and introduce the tone for the next two tracks. I envision the late pioneer Lil Peep would keep this one in his playlist.
Bleach was the first pre-release single. It showcases a bouncy drum pattern and descending synth elements. This song is a breeze to listen to. Lil West owns the two verses and proves his ability to make a hit. This song has high replay value due to it’s extremely short length and minimal arrangement. Bleach acts as a perfect bridge to the next song which follows the same algorithm.
Sitting at just under two minutes, Luck gets straight to the point. This song reminds me of a swanky hangout for bounty hunters. I’m picturing the scene in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones where Obi-Wan & Anakin Chase Zam Wesell into the night club. If this took place in 2020, I think George Lucas would know exactly what to do.
My personal favorite on this project is the outro track Say No More. If you’re a sucker for emotional ballads that focus on the feelings they evoke then you’ll happily agree with me. I feel like I forget I’m listening to a song here, and more like I’m listening to a stream of thoughts and emotions. It’s great to see West step out of his comfort zone on this song and really give us something raw. The whole record just feels organic. Some artists force a sad song onto a project for the sake of doing it but I can tell this one was purposeful. The ending gives 4 bars of heavy hitting 808s that seem to recap the project perfectly.
Metallic Body Language is a staple in modern underground music and I believe the project has given each of the three collaborators newfound tools to utilize in their own personal efforts. Give this one a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
Special shoutout to Matt Marvin (@mattmarvin1821) for recording, mixing, and mastering the EP as well as (@quinnmilkweed) for helping put together the promo videos. Creative direction and design was done by (@robertgotham) with assistance from (real_software2050).