His latest single, "da burbz" by Zach Kyle, is a testament to the locations and people who shaped him, and confirms that the roots of that hip-hop appeal don't have any geographic bounds. While Kyle himself may reside in the hustle and bustle of New York City, he takes you back to the slower places of New Jersey, filled with memories, juxtaposing memories with modern-day thoughts in a way that seems simultaneously intimate yet universal.
"da burbz" kicks things off with smooth, jazzy vibes that ride a dreamy wave of boom-bap and chill-hop, creating an introspective soundscape full of life. Its rhythm emanates a glow of warmth that mirrors the heartstring stylings of the song, musical memories, suburban memories & youthful escapades, coming-of-age beneath the metropolitan lights. The storytelling in Kyle's music is so genuine that it also feels incredibly universal, with almost everyone having looked back on their hometown with a blend of melancholy and awe. "da burbz" stands out for reimagining suburbia in the shadow of hip-hop. Dubbing it "Suburban Hip Hop," Kyle finds a way to encapsulate his surroundings and experiences while remaining true to the raw storytelling essence of rap.
It is in this territory where memories intersect with innovation, and confidently sauntering into the realm, always, with that snap, crackle, and pop character for every line of each verse, is Kyle. His memories are a testament to his culture, his childhood, and the missed opportunities that shape an artist outside the prying eyes of a city. Though Kyle tends to straddle a fine line between the exuberance of youth and the wisdom of experience on songs like this, becoming at once a call-to-arms for those born into similar circumstances, as well as an entryway into a world that many urban listeners rarely think about.
His lyrics also receive the production treatment, as dreamy melodies surreptitiously swirl beautiful harmonies around his delicate lyrical contemplation, offering airy textures that contribute little more than a vague, floating feeling to the song, almost cinematically. "da burbz" is an anthem. In hip-hop, Zach Kyle shows urbanism is portrayed as a mask for hidden suburban realities. With his irrepressible nature stirred by his imagination and stitched so neatly to the heritage he takes pride in, Kyle represents the suburbs, elevating them and encouraging the world to revere the same experiences that built him equally.
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