As I have stated many times on this blog, one of my favorite things to do is share the music from rising independent artists that I feel deserve so much more exposure. There are so many great artists out there making music that is extremely unique and interesting, and I want their art to be appreciated by as many people as possible. A very cool artist that I recently came across that definitely fits into this mold is BLACKSTARKIDS. They are a three-member group from Kansas City whose genre can really be defined. They delve into elements of Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, and R&B; they have stated that their sound is heavily inspired by the 1990s, but is mixed and crafted in a manner that feels individualistic in modern times. They have also said that their projects always start out as visual concepts and that the music themed around this concept follows their creation. This makes their music extremely meaningful, as there is a story being told with each record. BLACKSTARKIDS released their debut EP, Let’s Play Sports, in 2019. One of its singles, ‘Sounds Like Fun,’ was discovered by Matty Healy of The 1975, leading to the group being signed to his Dirty Hit record label. Over the next year, BLACKSTARKIDS released two more EPs, 2020’s SURF and Whatever, Man. They put out their debut album, Puppies Forever, in 2021, to critical acclaim. BLACKSTARKIDS released their fourth EP, CYBERKISS*, in 2022. This project contained one of the group’s biggest singles to date, the super quirky ‘CYBERKISS 2 U*.’ BLACKSTARKIDS recently released their second full-length record, Saturn Dayz. This is a concept record centered around a young woman trying to navigate the afterlife. It is a two-part album, but the second half is coming out in the near future. Below, I wanted to talk about BLACKSTARKIDS’s Saturn Dayz, as I feel like this is an album that so many more people need to be paying attention to. Please let me know in the comments below what your favorite songs are from Saturn Dayz, and also comment on how you feel about the record as a whole!
BLACKSTARKIDS gets Saturn Dayz going on a very riveting and ethereal note with the song ‘WISH.’ This song is honestly unlike anything else I am hearing from anyone else right now, and I do not necessarily know what to compare it to. The melody for this track is pretty simple but really stands out. It is driven by a jazzy piano riff that has a very cozy tone. This piano riff is complemented by squeaky synths with a robotic quality that makes the song feel otherworldly. This track has a fast-paced Garage-style beat that sits on the melody pretty strangely, making it hit harder than it probably normally otherwise would. I like the contrast in the vocals on ‘WISH.’ The male rapping has a gruff tone that creates a juxtaposition with the female rapping and male vocals that stand out and make this one pop. On ‘WISH,’ BLACKSTARKIDS look to the heavens and long for a better world, highlighting all of the things around them that bring them down mentally. ‘KILLJOY,’ keeps the futuristic Garage music sound that we got on the preceding track. This song feels even more robotic and otherworldly than the first track, though. The melody for this one is not nearly as warm as the one on the opener. It still has a pretty breezy sound, but its tone is a bit more brisk. This melody is driven by a pretty distorted keyboard riff that is complemented by a variety of very saturated synths. The plethora of tones on these synths and the many sound effects that complement it make this song feel like it came either from another planet or out of the year 2158. Like the opener, the vocals on ‘KILLJOY’ are very cool. The male rap verse has a pretty hard-hitting style of delivery; its harsh tone makes it stick out. The female vocals on this track are delicate and sweet, giving the song a lighter element that it benefits from. On ‘KILLJOY,’ BLACKSTARKIDS notice all of the bullshit going on around them and long for a better life. They end up wanting to reside in their dreams because their dreams are a lot more welcoming than the world they reside in. ‘THE EMANCIPATION OF STEVIE WONDER’ takes things down a significant amount when compared to the first two tracks. This lighter sound has an old-school smooth jazz sound that I absolutely love. The melody for this track is driven by a groovy piano riff that is complemented by an even groovier saxophone riff. Throughout the song, some luscious synths and squeaky sound effects come in and out to add depth to the melody. This inviting melody is put on top of an easygoing Boom Bap beat that sounds like it came out of a 1990s sitcom. The vocals on this song are very clear and poignant. I especially enjoy the male rap verse, and it is delivered with a level of emphasis that makes it stand out. ‘THE EMANCIPATION OF STEVIE WONDER’ is a very deep track, but I feel like it is not necessarily directed towards me. This track is about being unapologetically black and longer for a more equal playing field. The members of BLACKSTARKIDS acknowledge the fact that being a black artist is a lot more challenging because the world is not set up for them to succeed. The outro for this one consists of our main characters’ entrance into the “Black Heaven” they are now entering due to their apparent death. ‘SOULMATEZ,’ which was the lead single from this record, brings back the more zany sound that we go on the first two tracks. It is kind of tough to describe this melody, as it is so quirky. The synths that drive this one are so saturated that they feel like they are beaming. These synths are so fat that it is kind of tough to hear the actual piano riff that drives this one. ‘SOULMATEZ’ has an upbeat Poppy drum pattern that will get anyone moving when it comes on. The rap verses on ‘SOULMATEZ’ are cool, but the sultry and sweet vocals on the chorus are what makes this track so catchy. On ‘SOULMATEZ,’ BLACKSTARKIDS are singing about a blissful relationship where their partner makes them feel young again. The outro of this track seems to be the entrance of our main character into the “Black Heaven” she has been searching for, as it literally sounds like someone is giving her a tour and informing her about this new enlightened place she is in.
‘MODERN HAPPINESS’ is another song that is reminiscent of the 1990s, albeit a different kind of music from that era. This one immediately made me think of the Funky Pop R&B that dominated that decade. When I hear this one, I think of artists like Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. As a big fan of those artists and that kind of music in general, you can imagine that I am pretty attracted to this song. The synths that drive this melody, as well as the underlying bassline that complements it, are so charming and ethereal. They are put on top of a fresh and somewhat quick Poppy beat that makes me want to dance around my apartment when this track comes on. The variance in vocals on ‘MODERN HAPPINESS’ is super cool. The singing vocals match the airy feeling of this instrumental, and the deeper rap vocals give it a level of texture that sets it apart. ‘MODERN HAPPINESS’ is letting yourself go emotionally and diving headfirst into a relationship with someone that ultimately just makes you feel good. The outro for this one consists of a bit more description of the “Black Heaven” our main characters are entering. The title track, ‘SATURN DAYZ,’ has a sonic theme that is somewhat similar to the song that precedes it. This is another one that immediately makes me think of 1990s R&B music. This song may have the most simple but also the most quirky melody on the album to this point. This melody has a bit more of a grating element to it than any of the first five tracks. Honestly, it feels a bit more negative than any of the tracks that come before it. The synths that drive this one have a harsh element to them that makes this one stand out. The beat for this one has a bit of a Boom Bap timing to it that goes very nicely with this weird melody. I would say that ‘SATURN DAYZ’ has the most low-key vocals on the project to this point. This actually works out very well, as the softer nature of the vocals makes the instrumental hit even harder. On ‘SATURN DAYZ,’ BLACKSTARKIDS reflect on their struggles and problems in the world, asserting that they would rather just get high and not think about these issues. The outro consists of the main character talking to the host about their insecurities with other people, and the host asserting that their differences with others ultimately do not matter. The more raucous Garage music theme we got on the first two tracks comes back on ‘BLACK CHILDREN.’ This song is a lot more brash, vivid, and harsh than those tracks though. Instead, this one has a harsher and more negative tone that is more comparable to the song directly preceding it. The melody for this one is pretty balmy, but the way it is mixed makes it almost grating. I want to say that this melody is inviting, but its mix makes it tough and gritty. ‘BLACK CHILDREN’ has some of the most bold and impactful vocals to this point. The members of BLACKSTARKIDS sing and rap in a lively and audacious manner that matches the energy of the instrumental and makes this song feel all the more huge and impactful. On ‘BLACK CHILDREN,’ BLACKSTARKIDS are talking about how they are motivated by the other little black children who are aspiring artists who want to achieve some of the success that they have achieved. They know how hard it has been for them, and they want to make it easier for the youth. This sentiment of struggle is echoed in the outro, as it consists of two members of ‘Black Heaven’ complaining about struggles they still go through due to the turmoil they experienced on earth. ‘LOVE IS A MOSHPIT’ is a pretty interesting track that is hard to pinpoint. Everything about this one is glitchy and sort of robotic sounding. The synths and saxophone riff that drive the melody for this track are gleaming and bright that they almost feel very harsh. Even though the tone of this melody has a breezy and sunny feeling to it, the way it is mixed and the sound effects that surround it are so rigid that it makes this song feel super intense. ‘LOVE IS A MOSHPIT’ has a pretty weird beat that certainly matches the wild energy of the melody. This melody is super rapid and has a timing that feels offbeat, making it hit hard. The vocals on ‘LOVE IS A MOSHPIT’ totally match the intensity of the instrumental. The members of BLACKSTARKIDS rap and sing with a level of fervor that makes this song feel even more bold and in-your-face than the instrumental already makes it feel. On ‘LOVE IS A MOSHPIT,’ BLACKSTARKIDS are talking about the pitfalls of a relationship and life in general, asserting that they would rather do things on their own than rely on friends or on a partner. On the outro for this one, the members of “Black Heaven” debate whether or not life in their new setting is worth it.
BLACKSTARKIDS slow things down and smooth things out once again on the track ‘BOYZ GO 2 JUPITER.’ This is probably the most easy-going song of the project to this point. The melody that drives this track is super luscious. This melody is driven by saccharine synths and twinkling sound effects that make it sound so atmospheric. The beat for ‘BOYZ GO 2 JUPITER’ is pretty laid back, going nicely with the soft nature of the melody. The vocal performances on this one fit the lighter nature of the instrumental. These vocal deliveries sit so fluidly on the instrumental and make this song so inviting. On ‘BOYZ GO 2 JUPITER,’ BLACKSTARKIDS is talking about a relationship that seemed to be going super well but ended up crashing out in the end. The outro for this one consists of two members of “Black Heaven” discussing their budding relationship and how they make each other feel. ‘UFO’ is probably the most modern-sounding song of the album to this point. It also may be the weirdest-sounding song. The melody for this one is all over the place. IT somehow feels warm and cold at the same time. The underlying synths that push it along have a pretty sweet and welcoming tone. The sound effects that complement it, though, which honestly almost sounds like an alarm, are pretty harsh and foreboding. ‘UFO’ has the closest drum pattern to Trap music out of anything on this record so far. I would say that it is Trap adjacent, as it still has a pacing that is pretty reminiscent of Boom Bap music. The vocals on ‘UFO’ are pretty pushy and audacious; they fit very nicely with the larger-than-life feeling of this instrumental. The outro for ‘UFO’ consists of our main character getting ready to meet her maker in this “Black Heaven.” ‘STEREOTYPE’ is one of the most intense and striking songs on the record, which is saying a lot. Everything about this track feels huge and powerful. The synths that drive this melody are very vivid and cozy, but they are also so saturated that they are almost harsh. This melody is very welcoming, but also sort of feels looming. The beat for ‘STEREOTYPE’ has a rapid, anxious pacing that goes so well with this super pushy melody. The vocal performances on ‘STEREOTYPE’ are not the most prominent or hard-hitting, but they do fit the feeling of the track pretty well. On ‘STEREOTYPE,’ BLACKSTARKIDS acknowledge how they know they are profiled by so many people who interact with them, but they are so much more than the nearsighted opinions of people who pigeonhole them. In the outro of ‘STEREOTYPE,’ our main character talks to Mother Saturn, who basically tells her that the “Black Heaven” she has been perusing through is not actually real(meaning that it could all just be a dream). BLACKSTARKIDS close out Saturn Dayz with what is the most laid-back and calm song on the record. ‘MOTHA URF’ is easily the most stripped-back and easy-going song here. Everything about this track is more tranquil than anything else on the record. The melody for this one is driven by a very warm and sugary piano riff that is complemented by various synths and sound effects that come in and out. The beat for this one is very soft and slow, making this track feel very peaceful. The vocals on ‘MOTHA URF’ are very delicate and lovely. This vocal performance makes this track feel all-encompassing. On ‘MOTHA URF,’ BLACKSTARKIDS sings about finding someone who makes them feel whole and makes them feel totally like the person they are, were, and to be. On the outro for ‘MOTHA URF,’ a little poem about hope is delivered where the narrator actually incorporates the name of every song on the record, which is pretty damn cool. ‘MOTHA URF’ is a very fitting way to close out Saturn Dayz.
I went into Saturn Dayz without really knowing what to expect. I was drawn in and intrigued from the first track, as was taken for a hell of a ride. Like they are known to do, BLACKSTARKIDS went into this record with a really interesting concept in mind and a pretty wild sonic theme. The sound of this record is colorful, vibrant, and fresh. It is rooted in various styles of Dance, R&B, and Hip Hop from the 1990s, but arranged and changed in a way that makes it feel very fresh and modern. The vocal performances throughout Saturn Dayz are awesome. BLACKSTARKIDS bring so much life and attitude to each song, making them pop. The lyrical theme of Saturn Dayz is very interesting. I will admit that a lot of these tracks are not necessarily directed toward me(as they cover the struggles and levels of inequality that black people face), but I can appreciate and highlight their sentiment. The underlying storyline of someone entering a “Black Heaven” and looking for true happiness is very interesting. As this is not exactly relatable for me as someone who is not Black, I can appreciate the sentiment and I do see why people would feel this way. I am excited to hear the second part of this story which is supposed to be coming soon, as I want to know if our lead character finds the enlightenment she has been searching for. Overall, Saturn Dayz is a super cool record that is as commanding sonically as it is lyrically. BLACKSTARKIDS achieved something very special with this one, and I am glad I listened to it. I hope this write-up inspires anyone who does not know them to check Saturn Dayz out, as it is well with the gander!
EAST SIDE VIBES 