If you aren’t too familiar with the name Sliipow, I don’t blame you. The artist is an enigma, providing very little information about themselves, no address, no pictures; they’re clearly a person that likes their privacy. All we know about them is through the music they release and based on that alone I think you’ll like them. With releases on Quality Goods Records, Above and Below Extras, Trap Party, and premieres on our platform, Sliipow has shown us time and time again that he is a name to be known, but his newest project is one of his most forward-thinking projects yet. Strap up boys, it’s time for the motherf*cking Catalina Sliipow EP baby.
Sliipow sets the stage with the first track of this four-track EP with ‘Mild Magic’. ‘Mild Magic’ begins with swirling vocals and grainy textures that coalesce into a transcendental atmosphere, but it quickly goes south at the drop, transforming the vocals into a mysterious voice, layered with pounding percussion and grimey synths that really fills out the track. The melodic breaks Sliipow puts into ‘Mild Magic’ give you a beautiful reprise and centers you back before Sliipow brings you back into the second drop.
The second track on the Catalina EP is ‘Gaslighting’ and it’s hands down my favorite track on the project. On ‘Gaslighting’ Sliipow ventures into the realm of what I believe the kids today are calling colorbass, and knocks it out of the park. The flow and melodic elements of ‘Gaslighting’ are incredibly moving, and you have to appreciate that wonky, bobbing lead synth in the first drop. On the second drop, you can pick out elements from ‘Mild Magic’ which is a clever trick by Sliipow to really make the EP feel like one body of work.
‘Warfare’ is a collab with Théo and it’s one of the more upbeat tracks on Catalina, giving you a good chance to get up and moving with the fast-paced beat. The last song, and self-titled track of the EP, ‘Catalina’ is where Slippow really mixes it up and starts it off with a hip-hop beat and rapper, Kodah Xavier. ‘Catalina’ is where Sliipow returns to his trap roots and gives us a large banger that will probably set off car alarms if played too loudly.
Sliipow takes us through several different genres on this 4 track EP, yet Catalina feels very fluid when you listen through it, making each piece stronger and more impactful than if they were alone. The atmospheres Sliipow crafted on each track had a unique blend that still felt harmonious throughout Catalina and I think Sliipow really nailed these. The way they were able to reuse sounds throughout various tracks was also an interesting touch and a smart production move. Catalina gives us another look into who Sliipow is, and it’s got us itching for more.
Check out Sliipow’s Catalina EP below on Above and Below.
