EKKSTACY - “i’m so happy”

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

Pairs Well With…Kenny Hoopla, Neon Indian, Moses Sumney

My favorite part of SXSW is finding something that feels completely new, a role that EKKSTACY is playing this year, an artist melding emo rap, dream pop, and bedroom folk on his two full lengths, NEGATIVE and misery. The Canadian artist mostly keeps a low-key presence both vocally and instrumentally, an approach that somehow allows lounge-trap beats fit comfortably alongside a shoegaze rock track. The fulcrum here is EKKSTACY’s melancholic songwriting, woozy melodies that cover a range of slow psych-pop to catchy, accessible hook-writing. While influenced by emo rap peers, EKKSTACY is careful to not let lonesome concepts take away from the unsuspectingly anthemic melodies he tends to unleash. Balance that with some sparse, minimal refections on both records and EKKSTACY’s music truly elevates itself across a full spectrum of sound. The still-evolving artist performs at Shangri-La Thursday night for Reeperbahn Festival. (Kevin McStravick)