Don Lifted - “Darla (Love Me)”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Open Mike Eagle, Frank Ocean, Rav

Hip hop is an especially difficult genre where to truly be understated, but Don Lifted meets that challenge on 2021 record 325i, the Memphis artist’s third full-length and an engaging study in ambience and introspection. Performing over bedroom pop/rock instrumentation with jazz leans, Don Lifted layers hypnotic sounds with a minimalist’s touch. It’s a unique, spacious mood, allowing Don Lifted’s open-hearted lyrics really breathe. Delivering with a loose, stream-of-consciousness flow, he speaks and sings in low conversation, whispers that add to the gently psychedelic nature of his music. Throughout 325i, Don Lifted blurs R&B and hip hop notions with an impressionist mindset - all of the sounds on the album blend seamlessly similar to how a post rock musician would go about composition. 325i and his prior LPs are nice complete listens as Don Lifted weaves a consistent wave of sound track to track, creating an easy space to lose yourself in this path-charter’s records. (Kevin McStravick)