Phoenix-based artist Toby Tesla makes the most of outliers with .FIVE. Completely self-produced, these eclectic tracks were released this June 21. Some are brand new, others hold the echoes of Dream Master, his previous work.
.FIVE opens with a bang. โDONE FASTโ sets the scene with a cold, immersive soundscape and whispered vocals. The brooding atmosphere quickly explodes with pulsating beats, while wrestling with the bittersweet sting of a fading memory, as in the line, โCan you feel it?/Iโm nothing but a memory.โ
โTIMEZONEโ brings shimmering melodies wrapped around the aural field. His high, tender voice fits in the music with delicacy like itโs almost faded but itโs there like a persistent flame blown around by the wind but doesnโt snuff. The lyrics portray a troubled relationship, mixed with longing and resignation.
โSOTIL,โ with its haunting 40-second soundscape, turns out to be an interlude that bridges the space between songs and hints at the depth of Teslaโs sonic palette. .FIVE reaches a turning point with โIN MY WAY.โ The robotic intro explodes with sharp vocals and effortless rapping. The lyrics are self-assured and celebrate success and a not-so-subtle dig at those left behind. Lines like โDiamonds doing hula hoops, they two steppin'โ showcase Teslaโs playful wit and his knack for crafting catchy metaphors.
โKINDNESSโ closes the album as Tesla reflects on a past relationship with a melancholic undertone. The melody is relaxed, a stark contrast to the hard-hitting beats. His voice, wrapped and muffled, vulnerably concludes with a sense of acceptance.
.FIVE is a fascinating peek into the creative mind of an artist on the rise. It leaves us eager to hear what Tesla has in store for the future.
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Review by Naomi Joan