King Myles’ new album is one I have been looking forward to for a long time. As I mentioned in my post last week about his newest single, King Myles has been one of my favorite rappers from Milwaukee since I discovered him several years ago. There has always been something about his music that has always been so engaging to me. King Myles is an artist who has always worn his heart on his sleeve through his lyrics and he has always had this underdog mentality and feeling to his music, and I think these qualities have drawn me in and have made me a massive fan. King Myles’ newest release, Virtual Recluse, is an important moment for him and his fans for multiple reasons. For one, this is King Myles’ first album since 2018; in fact, King Myles was on a little hiatus for the last two years or so, and the single he released last week was the first piece of music he had released since 2021(if you want to read more about this hiatus and his history as an artist in general, check out my post on his single ‘Look At The Moon’ that I put out last week). Secondly, King Myles has stated that he expanded his horizons as an artist on this album and tried out types of Hip Hop he had not made before. With all of that being said, here is how I feel about King Myles’ new album Virtual Recluse. Please let me know in the comments below what your favorite songs are on this record, as well as how you feel about it as a whole.
‘Overture’ is a very short but very impactful way to start this album. This song has a foreboding and ominous tone; it almost feels like someone is leading you into the depths of hell or of a depressed mind. The instrumental is driven by a melody provided by extremely distorted synths that sound like wind howling and a sludgy and slow Metal guitar riff; this melody is put over a sparse drum beat that is just as creepy as the instrumental. King Myles’ vocal tone on this track is raspy and harsh, and it fits the energy of the instrumental perfectly. In ‘Overture,’ King Myles seems to be inviting the listener into the depths of his mind so they can understand how he struggles. ‘Devices’ is a song that has a similar tone to the opening track. It does feel a little more friendly and welcoming than that track, but it still has a very threatening tone. The melody for this track has a Southern Funk sound that is driven by a groovy bassline that is put over an even-keeled 90s-style Hip Hop beat. The sound effects that complement this instrumental make it so luscious and full. This track has record scratching that sounds like horses walking, whistling that sounds so faded it is like the person whistling is walking away from you quickly, and a Southern Rock guitar riff that comes in and out that gives the song more attitude. King Myles raps with a smooth and even-keeled vocal tone and flow that rides over this instrumental nicely and adds to the welcoming nature of the track. On ‘Devices,’ King Myles is rapping about how he is coming to terms with who he is and doing the best he can to keep his head on straight. He raps about how he had to get away from things in his past that were dragging him down, such as how he had to leave the city of Milwaukee and move to northern Wisconsin to get away from certain temptations. ‘Antidote,’ which features Riolanza, has a lot more of a warm and positive tone than the first two tracks. This song has a sound that takes me back to the late 1990s. The melody, which is provided by an R&B piano riff and a funky bassline that are both complemented by beautiful women’s Gospel-style vocals, has a Neo-Soul sound that immediately made me think of artists like TLC or Jill Scott. The beat on this song also has a late 1990s Hip Hop feeling to it that is reminiscent of artists like Mase or Biggie Smalls. King Myles’ and Riolanza’s vocal performances on this track are a bit forceful and bold, making them contrast the instrumental in a fun way. In ‘Antidote,’ King Myles and Riolanza are talking about how they feel more clear-headed than ever these days; sometimes you need to disconnect from the world to find yourself, and King Myles and Riolanza are stating that this worked for them on ‘Antidote.’ ‘Dissolve’ is definitely the most modern-sounding song on this album to this point. This song has an Alternative Rap sound that reminds me of artists like iann dior, 24k Goldn, and Juice Wrld. The song’s melody is provided by a late 1990s kind of Alternative Rock riff that is reminiscent of bands like Puddle of Mudd or Vertical Horizon. This melody is put over a hard-hitting Trap beat that has such an anthemic feeling to it. King Myles raps with a soft tone and a laid-back yet ever-changing flow that sounds so good on this instrumental. ‘Dissolve’ is a song I could see popping off among more casual Hip Hop fans because it has such a fun and pleasant sound. On ‘Dissolve,’ King Myles is rapping about how he has come to terms with who he is and who he wants to be; he has a fresh perspective on life that helps him see things more clearly than ever before. ‘Relocate’ brings us back to the retro Hip Hop feeling we got with the first few songs of the record. This is another track with a melody that makes me think of late 1990s R&B music. The melody, which is mainly provided by a piano riff and various sound effects, reminds me of artists like Erykah Badu or Maxwell. The song has a low-key boom-bap sort of beat that is also very similar to what one would expect to hear from early 2000s Alternative and Underground rappers like Atmosphere or Black Star. Similar to ‘Antidote,’ King Myles raps with a more firm and tough flow and tone that contrasts the instrumental in a riveting way; the way his vocals differ from the instrumental gives the song so much power. On ‘Relocate,’ King Myles is rapping about his need to disconnect and reset from the world in order to be okay with who he is and enjoy this life.
‘Slipping’ is a song that feels classic and modern at the same time. There are elements of the melody and the beat that sound inspired by the early 2000s and by modern R&B Trap music. The piano-riff that drives the melody for the most part has a Neo-Soul and Alternative R&B sound that calls to mind artists like Alicia Keys or Brandy. The bassline and sound effects that complement this melody, though, have a Southern Funk sound that is similar to artists from today like Rod Wave or Killer Mike. King Myles raps with a more understated tone and super smooth flow on this track, which pairs well with the emotion that the instrumental has. In ‘Slipping,’ King Myles is rapping about how he gets high to drown out his feelings and how he dreams every day of making it big. This song has a relatable sentiment that I understand on a personal level. ‘Mage’ is an additional track that brings it back to the Underground Hip Hop that was big in the early 2000s. This song has a calm yet gloomy sound; there is something about it that is soothing but also grim. The instrumental is simple but also packs a punch. Towards the end of the track, the instrumental completely switches into a triumphant synth-driven Trap beat. This gives the track a more hopeful feeling, which contrasts well with the dismal feeling the rest of the track has. King Myles raps with a grating and powerful tone and a deliberate flow that enhances the dire sound that the instrumental has. On ‘Mage,’ King Myles is rapping about he has come to terms with who he is and how he does not let the people and problems he had in his past drag him down like they used to. Like ‘Overture,’ ‘Hiatus’ is a short yet impactful track that has a very haunting feeling to it. This song is driven by a sinister piano riff that is complemented by a chilling guitar riff that is put over a simple yet strong old-school Hip Hop beat. Even though the instrumental is straightforward, it is still very rousing. My favorite thing about this track is when King Myles briefly sings at the end. He usually does not attempt vocals like this, and his tone fits the track so deftly. On ‘Hiatus,’ King Myles is rapping about how he is now realizing that he is not alone and that he can lean on those around him when he is feeling down. ‘Look At The Moon’ is the aforementioned single released a couple of weeks ago that made me so excited to listen to this record when it came out. ‘Look At The Moon’ has a lot softer of a sound than most of what is on the record to this point. This is the most Pop-oriented track on Virtual Recluse so far. Like ‘Dissolve,’ this is a guitar-driven track that has an Alternative Rap or Emo-Trap feeling to it. The guitar riff that drives the melody is complemented by sound effects and synths that make it feel full, and it is put over a faint Trap beat that pairs up effectively with the melody. King Myles raps with a subtle tone on this track, giving the song such a warm and inviting feeling. On ‘Look At The Moon,’ King Myles is rapping about how he remembers and cherishes the times he had with a loved one more than ever now that he has had to spend time away from them. This is a song about appreciating the little moments in your life and not letting your life slip by too quickly. ‘Chasing Satellites’ is a track where King Myles goes back to the early 2000s underground Hip Hop sound that has been prevalent on this album. ‘Chasing Satellites’ is a simple and easy-going track driven by a slow and funky keyboard melody complemented by backing vocals and distorted synths that is put over a muted and slow retro Hip Hop beat. I really like how he keeps going back to instrumentals like this because they fit his voice so well and help put the focus on his flow and lyrical ability. The uncomplicated nature of the instrumental helps put King Myles’ rapping abilities at the forefront. This song probably has the most complex vocal performance from King Myles on the record to this point. During the verses, he raps with a poignant and strong tone, and during the chorus, he sings with an emotional tone that contrasts his rapping vocals in a cool way. On ‘Chasing Satellites,’ King Myles is rapping about how he wants to unplug and not let the internet control him like it has in the past.
‘Ocelot’ is the kind of song that I do not know if I would have ever expected to hear from King Myles before listening to this album. This is a modern lovey-dovey R&B Trap track that is nothing like I have heard from him before. What is awesome about that is how it is one of the best songs on the album to this point. I imagine releasing a song like this felt like a risk for King Myles, and I have to say he completely nailed it. The song has a shimmering and sweet melody that is provided by synths that sound like they are provided by chimes blowing in the wind; the beat has a soothing and carefree Trap sound that is just as pleasant as the melody. King Myles raps with a smooth and mellow tone that sounds so great on this instrumental. On ‘Ocelot,’ King Myles is rapping to his significant other about how much they mean to him and how they make him happy. Like ‘Ocelot,’ ‘Wayside’ is a song I would never expect to hear from King Myles. Once again, he completely nails it on this track, as it is another major highlight for me. This is a modern Cloud Trap track that has such a heady and heavenly feeling. The melody, which is provided by a delightful guitar riff, has a warm and luscious tone that makes me want to have a drink on a beach somewhere while watching a sunset. The beat for this song has a hard-hitting yet nonchalant Trap sound that adds to the warm and fun sound that the melody has. King Myles tries a sing-rapping style on this track that is way different than what he normally does, and it sounds so great on this track. His vocal tone goes with the instrumental so well and helps give in an all-encompassing feeling. On ‘Wayside,’ is singing about a significant other he has lost that he has not gotten over. He states that he will do anything to get them back because they make his life so much better. ‘Rome’ is the second song in a row that has a very modern Cloud Trap feeling to it. This one feels a bit more Poppy than the one that precedes it, though. The melody of this track has a synth-driven melody that is very cozy and friendly; it is the kind of upbeat melody that will make anyone smile and bop their head when they hear it. The beat on ‘Rome,’ which is very bass-heavy and bouncy, constantly changes its tempo; throughout the track, the beat goes back and forth between fast and slow, keeping the listener engaged and on their toes. Like the beat, King Myles’ flow switches from fast and slow throughout the song; when paired with the beat, his vocals give the song so much texture and life. In ‘Rome,’ King Myles is rapping about how he is finally finding himself and realizes what makes him happy and keeps him going. King Myles exchanges the happy-go-lucky feeling of the last few songs for a darker and more haunting sound on ‘Manifesto.’ This song is actually the closes thing to what I remember King Myles doing in the past. This song has a somber synth-driven melody that is put over a slow, deliberate Trap beat. Because the instrumental on this song is a bit more low-key, the focus turns to King Myles’ vocal performance, which is excellent. He constantly switches his flow and flow, and he raps with so much emphasis that it will draw any listener in. On ‘Manifesto,’ King Myles is rapping about not selling out to achieve success. He is stating that you should not turn in your individuality for success. If you are into intense and non-complicated lyrical rap music, this is a song for you. King Myles closes out Virtual Recluse on a hopeful note with the song ‘Coda.’ This is a warm and trippy Atmospheric Trap song that has a similar feeling to some of the later songs on the album that I enjoyed so much. This track has a lot more of a psychedelic and Trippy feeling than those, though. The melody is super distorted, giving the song a hazy feeling. The beat is easy-going and cool, matching up with the feeling of the melody well. King Myles goes with some of the sing-rapping that he has demonstrated at points on this album; his rich tone and well-balanced flow give the song an all-encompassing feeling, which in turn makes it a great closer for the record. On ‘Coda,’ King Myles is thanking those who helped him make this album, and always telling his loved ones that he will be there for them and help them find the happiness they deserve.
As I stated in the introduction, King Myles’ Virtual Recluse is a record I have been looking forward to. For the most part this year, I have been unlucky when I stated I was looking forward to a record in this way, as a lot of the albums from artists I love which have come out this year have not been up to the standard I expected from them. Fortunately, this is not the case at all for Virtual Recluse. This is a very good album that proves King Myles is still one of the most exciting and talented rappers from the Milwaukee area. On Virtual Recluse, King Myles takes a lot of risks and goes with a lot of instrumentals that I would never have expected from him in the past. These risks paid off, as King Myles shows diversity in his artistry that I never knew was in him. The things about King Myles’ music in the past I loved so much are still prevalent on this record; he demonstrates a wide range of flows and rapping styles, and his introspective and complicated lyricism is as crisp as ever on this album. Virtual Recluse is a great return to form for King Myles after his hiatus, and it makes me very excited to hear what he does in the future.
EAST SIDE VIBES 