dj poolboi - “malo okoma” (feat. Theresa Ng’ambi)

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Flume, Mura Masa, Disclosure

Admittedly, seeing dj poolboi as a name on the SXSW roster gave me an instant impression of a Vegas DJ spinning for a bro-fest pool party, anticipating a quick listen before moving onto the the next DJ so-and-so on the thousand-plus artist list. Actually listening to dj poolboi revealed a wholly different story, one of warmth and wrapped around a dream-pop center. The Austin artist does still have a deep-house foundation, but it’s just one part of a bigger, though breezier soundscape. Dj poolboi collaborates with a variety of vocalists on his latest record stay just a little while longer, allowing for his music to fully embrace his catchy pop intentions. More soulful than sweet, dj poolboi keeps a cooled pace across the ambitious, often beautiful record, finding threads of neo-soul, new-wave pop, and experimental hip hop on this subtly far-reaching effort. (Kevin McStravick)