Riding a wave of hype, this up and coming youngster Yeat builds on top a direction the likes of Playboi Cardi, Future and Lil Uzi Vert have established before him. The latter Uzi features on this EPs opening track Flawlëss, the two melding as such bt Cloud Rap standards. Vibeing with subtle psychedelia and mellowed out aesthetics, these beats pair clicky, tinged percussion with zany synths and flat bass rumbles.
Going heavy on the auto-tune, Yeat's voice electrifies tonally, blurring synthetic boundaries. Its a stylistic evolution, words play second fiddle to the feels of cadence and delivery as his flow melds melodically with backing instrumentals. Trendy slang and slurred annunciation lead way, bending vowels and consonants to the whims of self expression. This groovy, easy, laid back gelling is a pleasure to observe.
Sadly, the attention on his unique presence equally highlights seemingly knee deep lyrics. Sleazy slang, cheap nauseous rhyme schemes and a heavy reliance on braggadocio paints a shallow portrayal of the moment. There is only so many claims to success and flipping stacks one can endure. A lack of variety and substance leaves one with little to take away in terms of food for thought. Obviously its not the point.
Despite this, the moods are hypnotic. Songs play like low key bangers. Letting his voice spiral off like an instrument, the beats resonate in their unusually synthetic take on the current direction of Hip Hop. Simple loops with short melodies sink into the contagious aesthetic with ease. The bass stomps find apt moments to drill thumping repetitions, a niche touche. Producer BNYX seems to consistently have hands on the better tracks. In general, they seemingly "glow" more than his contemporaries.
The further utilization of vocals in this auto-tune chemistry is somewhat reminiscent of how Kanye West once brought the harmony of voices forward. This time, the script is flipped. Zany, odd and alien, yet mellow, chilled and groovy, the style being evolved here has something to offer. Lyfë however falls a little short as a record. Its final songs drag, recycling ideas which are wild and exciting in its opening stretch.
Rating: 5/10