Steam Down - “Overcome” (ft. TINYMAN, Germane Marvel, Afronaut Zu)

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Ezra Collective, SAULT, Davido

Afrobeat-jazz band Steam Down fully embrace UK hip hop on their collaborative single “Overcome”, the latest empowering offering from the London-based unit. It’s clear this is a band that is always going to stretch - “Overcome” is more percussive beat-making that straight jazz, though cinematic horns and intricate bass work does put this well beyond a rap-backing unit. Expressive and rooted in Black power overcoming oppression, Steam Down’s music is danceable, but also dead serious as they share stories through both lyrics and instrumentation. They have a SXSW-closing set scheduled for 1:00 Saturday night at the British Music Embassy (The Courtyard), an excellent choice to end your SXSW experience pointing towards an exciting musical future. (Kevin McStravick)

2022 Review: Since debuting in 2019 with explorative, Afrobeat-jazz single “Free My Skin”, Steam Down have continued to grow in unexpected ways leading to 2021 EP Five Fruit. These tracks are a little more pop-oriented, at least in an R&B/hip-hop way, using the big-band jazz elements more sparingly to put the spotlight on their political and personal songwriting. Mostly collaborations with fellow UK vocalists, Steam Down welcome diverse perspectives on Five Fruit while still maintaining their tight musicianship and percussive strength.