Arguably essentially the most eroticized element of the tune (which is saying so much, all issues thought-about), the groove that drives house the refrain in Donae’o’s “Swaggy” is devastatingly potent, to place it fairly mildly certainly. Even when it weren’t normal with heady melodies as colourful as they’re evocative in spirit, the beats on this monitor would give us as huge an image as any of Donae’o’s lyrics can and do. O.G. Relli stops by to assist out with the mic duties in “Swaggy,” however for as sterling a contribution as he makes to the music, it’s the primary man himself who could be credited with making this tune into the true banger it’s at loud volumes.

“Swaggy” sports activities an exquisite juxtaposition of bassline pressure and vocal catharsis, and I believe this lends a progressive high quality that was sorely lacking from Donae’o’s previous work. I’m not saying that I didn’t take care of his earlier singles, however solely that there’s one thing woke up in him right here that I positively can’t get sufficient of now that I’ve been uncovered to it for the primary time. The lyrics are blushing with tone due to his stylized execution, and by pairing them up with a tense rigidity from the bass elements, we get as a lot of a provocative pulse from the music as we do the verses. O.G. Relli is hitting the appropriate buttons on his finish of the sales space for positive, however as for Donae’o himself, he’s performing with extra multidimensionality than I had beforehand thought potential.  

There’s not loads of energy within the percussive push towards the top of the tune relative to what the lead vocal is working with, however I wouldn’t change a factor in regards to the ranges on this monitor. The bassline greater than compensates for the lower than assaultive end from the drums, and in stringing collectively these jagged elements as we conclude “Swaggy,” Donae’o makes it simpler for us to understand his vocal’s striving n’ driving nature. Sarcastically, one of the vital natural melodies of the 12 months up to now is available in a tempo-powered hip-hop tune, however I suppose that critics and followers ought to each expect the surprising in relation to something concerning these gifted gamers/producers.

One-part hip-hop fantasy as seen via a slightly minimalistic lens, one other half personality-driven pop rap that doesn’t want an enormous intro or a skit to set the tone for its narrative, “Swaggy” is a tune listeners can’t go fallacious with in 2023. Whether or not you’ve been following him because the starting or are discovering out about his work for the primary time this summer season, it has by no means been a greater time to get into the music of Donae’o, who shines just like the celebrity he all the time will probably be right here. “Swaggy” has a thrust that may get its beat caught in your head for days on finish, but it surely doesn’t really feel like a stab at industrial acceptance on the a part of its two principal creators. That is artwork for the sake of expression, and nowadays, that’s one thing we must be celebrating with gusto.

Mindy McCall