Home / Arts and Entertainment / BEASTIE: Grime's Ghostly Echoes in Psychedelic Bedroom Pop
BEASTIE: Grime's Ghostly Echoes in Psychedelic Bedroom Pop
23 Sep
Summary
- BEASTIE filters grime through bedroom pop sincerity and R&B sensuality.
- His second EP, 'maria,' explores coming-of-age in Mitcham with spectral sound.
- The artist blends early 2000s British sounds with introspective genres.
Kamal Frederick, known as BEASTIE, is a South London artist crafting a distinctive sound by filtering the stoic music of grime, drill, and trap through bedroom-pop sincerity and R&B sensuality. His second EP, 'maria,' released recently, offers a spectral and grimly psychedelic exploration of his coming-of-age in Mitcham. The nine tracks weave the haze of his inner world with the sounds that shaped him, reflecting on Black culture and memory.
The EP's lead single, "Mitcham Mint," transforms a local pub into a dream-pop soundscape. Throughout 'maria,' BEASTIE's vocals float ethereally over crunchy, distorted percussion. He masterfully intersperses grime's foundational samples with influences from artists like Alex G, creating a layered sonic tapestry. Tracks like "Does It Rain?" and "Crescent Moon Over Figgs Marsh" showcase his ability to blend contemporary sounds with introspective, honest lyricism.
While still developing his sound, BEASTIE's potential is evident in his vulnerable lyricism and adept craftsmanship. He is part of a new wave of artists embracing sincerity, moving away from the traditional grittiness of the UK underground. His music offers a tender and sensual expression, skillfully piecing together elements of British music into a compelling artistic statement.
