Zehbrah Explores Cosmic Philosophy and Human Depths in the Mesmerizing EP Project “Four”
Absorb yourself into the world Zehbrah creates in "Four" and just imagine a space where hip hop melds effortlessly with thoughts of cosmic philosophy. Avoiding a single track on this project is almost inexcusable because every song brings you into the deep arras of sound and thought that has been put together. This results in Zehbrah not just spitting, but also curating an intelligent and emotionally rich experience.
More than an EP, “Four” is a metaphysical exploration into existentialist questions of free will and preordained destiny. The four tracks on the EP —"Victor Timely," "Franklin Richards," "Doomed," and "Norrin Radd (I Am Alive)"—become a window into stories giving power to plots that are in no way associated with iconic Marvel comic titles. However, these are not just fan homages; Zehbrah weaves them into his thoughts on cosmic forces and earthly experience in a dialogue between fiction and reality.
The musical charm of the EP is simply mesmerizing. On Variations, Zehbrah seamlessly blends warm hip-hop beats with cosmic soundscapes. It's clear and wide-spanning, giving every element some room to air from the little background synths all the way up to those big basslines. The almost hesitant pacing in the rhythms echoes a certain subjectivity pertaining to time and existence—offering to lure us into contemplation without burning out what is essentially still hip-hop credibility.
With his wordplay, he hits the vernacular zen point. He explores the push and pull of being able to influence one's future before losing oneself in the inevitable passage of time on "Victor Timely." How he is able to paint beautiful rich imagery paints such a picture in the mind of the listener, which adds so much scope to his lyrics with lines like “Making whisper trees speak in symphonies” and introspection. The track is a wistful tribute to the innocence of youth by one who knows it won't last as they face the weighty challenge of molding their life ahead—not just grounded in Victor Timely-esque lexis; but an ordeal that everyone can relate to.
“Franklin Richards” goes deep on what it means to be a dude with so much potential and tacked up in the brain. The recurring refrain asserts, “World is in my palms, matter fact the universe,” capturing what it feels like to hold such a monumental weight on your shoulders. It delves into the strife between family whilst also looking at identity in relation to what is expected from you. Zehbrah laces the verses with metaphors, tying cosmic entities to transformation and evolution via a rhythmic head nod.
The most emotional cut may be "Doomed," an exploration of the conflicting feelings that a damaged romantic bond arouses, somewhere in between love setting couples on fire and betrayal tearing them apart. As the result of a more personal connection between Dr. Doom and The Scarlet Witch, this song explores leaving oneself emotionally defenseless but when met with ambition (represented by year’s end), crumbles to ashes essentially like everything else! The repeated refrain, “We were doomed from the start — My infatuation with you would only tear us apart,” is equal parts wistful confession and general relationship sentiment. We have to tip our caps, again, at Zehbrah's vocal delivery here—showing an honesty and charisma that most of us rarely experience in song and allowing the listener to truly feel what it is like to dawn those two-toned glasses of broken hearts and giving up.
"Norrin Radd (I Am Alive)" ends the EP with a tale of an extraterrestrial wanderer contemplating its own existence. The mantra-like chorus, "I am alive right now," serves as both a grounding affirmation and a cry against the feeling of being an instrument of fate. This production mirrors that duality, juxtaposing ethereal sounds with a grounded beat. On Zehbrah, transformation is omnipresent and cosmic loneliness underpins thoughts on our lives in the cosmos.
Vibey, introspective, and spacious on "Four." Despite this, it's a release that provokes thought without betraying the art of hip-hop at its most expertly crafted. What really makes Zehbrah shine is his ability to ground these grand philosophical concepts in the mundane humanity of understandable narratives, which speaks miles about both his skills as a storyteller but also as an artist. Set to a backdrop of comic book history, the intersection between escapist fantasies and reflective personal revelations allows listeners both to be entertained with additional nods towards enlightenment.
As music becomes increasingly surface-level, Zehbrah's "Four" shines like a beacon of substance and originality. It serves as a simple reminder that hip-hop once served to dissect the sometimes arduous nature of life while still providing beats for the streets. They are the chapters of a larger story and would warrant listening again to peel back layers that recur.
Listening to “Four” is like traveling into the multiverse of your own soul, accompanied only by Zehbrah’s thought-provoking lyricism and atmospheric soundscapes. It is an EP that does not just sound on your ears but vibrates through every essence of the human being you claim. Every element missed in this endeavor seems like a crucial perspective unrevealed from an illuminating journey.
In the end, Zehbrah has created a Hip-Hop event that is as modern today as it will be forever—a study of making music for future generations to dare and dream. This is no ordinary ear-play, this is an exploration of the rich corridors of human life and experience through soundscapes designed to mimic and emulate us—it’s a cosmic hum that'll make you beat to your own drum (pun intended), hold on like dear life itself depends on four keys functioning. This is hip-hop raised to the level of art that simply speaks directly to and from the depths in all souls human.
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