When it comes to pushing the boundaries of creativity and sonic innovation, you have to give it up to Stevie 808, an accomplished musician who dares to challenge the status quo, coming through with a sound and style that is uniquely his. He has won over many fans with his lovably authentic and inimitable style that allows him to tap into uncharted territories and emerge with a treasure trove of classics. Lovers of pop, rock, punk, hip-hop, funk, blues, and soul are sufficiently catered for, as Stevie 808 is not one to limit himself to a solitary style. At the end of the day, he is not one to believe that there is no place he can’t go creatively. This makes him the very embodiment of a true artist and the ideal choice for any music fan who appreciates the eclectic side of music!
As you listen through to his 5-track EP “808,” you can feel that what actually inspired this release was Stevie 808’s innate desire to break free creatively. It’s one of those projects that you can tell the artist had a moment of realization and was like, ‘Hey, let me do this this way, I’ll do it that way” and he indeed went ahead to do it that way—finding his own uniquely satisfying musical muse and making the most of it.
Any music fanatic can appreciate the single “Emotions” for its perceptible catchiness and infectious allure, if not for its emotional weight. The foundational funk element gives it that nostalgic appeal, seamlessly marrying with its pop and rock qualities for one hell of an ear candy. The catchy hooks and singable references make it an irresistible anthem that will continue playing in your head long after its 3 minutes’ runtime!
I want to make it clear that the track “Black Ice” is my personal favorite…by a mile! Featuring Olivia Melfi, this is a collaborative tour de force that deserves massive buzz and critical acclaim. The intro has a Broadway-like quality to it, like a sonic/musical Broadway if something like that ever exists, and features the most beautiful female voice you could ever wish to listen to. While the intro is palpably pop-flavored in its mellowness and poppy structure, the song excellently morphs into this pop-rock ecstasy, inviting a listener to ride along in its beautiful expanse and haunting cadence.
“Melted Wings Interlude” has a soul influence with its mellifluously sweet foundation, hitting a listener in all the right spots with its gentle smoothness and expressive beauty. As the EP nears its end, a listener couldn’t ask for a better climax than “Spillin’ Truth,” a guitar-laden masterpiece brimming with guitar virtuosity and awe-inspiring musicianship that leaves a lasting impression on a listener’s heart and soul. The song has an inescapable punk energy, and the vocals are quite luminous, like a bright star in the night sky, impressing their way inside a listener’s heart and soul.
The whole of “808” is a masterclass in sonic creativity. This is as versatile and charming as it gets, and the collaborations make it worthwhile. This is a project that showcases the impeccable musical gifts of Stevie 808 and why he is on a creative tier of his own.
Such dedication to push the boundaries of creativity and create something worthy of fanfare are why this project deserves to blow, and I mean massively. Tracks like “Black Ice,” “Spillin’ Truth” and “Emotions” deserve to be on the radio—if they aren’t already!
To stream this project in its entirety, check out the attached link and enjoy it to the fullest because both Stevie and I will be 100% counting on it.
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