Léks Rivers's new three-track EP, Pulp Noir, defies the genre's boring, familiar cliches and invites you into a dizzying, all-encompassing sound world. An adventurous reinventor of British alt-R&B and UK rap, Léks combines grime, Afroswing, and baroque R&B with the experimental urge of Jimi Hendrix, the imagination of Prince, and the patchwork magic of Michael Jackson. The result? It is a hypnotic, deeply immersive listen that feels classic and boundary-pushing.
"Pulp Noir" is a brash proclamation of transformation, self-liberation, and untempered emotional honesty. Léks refers to it as a "Phoenix moment," a sonic rebirth that empowers listeners to accept their truths and give in to their tipple. From hazy, atmospheric beats to raw, introspective lyricism, every track serves as a "sonic serum," beckoning you to cast aside inhibition and step into your most authentic self.
Nothing serves the heartbeat of the EP better than its most distinct songs, "Koas" and "Shwaty," which hit with force. Koas thrums with a hypnotic, edgy energy, pairing moody melodies with Léks' effortlessly supple flow, while Shwaty radiates charming confidence. Its luxuriantly smooth production and irresistible energy make it a crowd-pleaser straight out of the gate.
Born out of the epiphanies of a late-night studio session, Pulp Noir encapsulates the thrill and risk of setting one's thoughts and feelings free, cocooned in a sonic environment that's both bold and intimately personal. Léks Rivers is not simply creating music but rather fabricating an experience, daring listeners to walk bravely, love openly, and yield to the cadence of their own truth.