I don’t think it’s hyperbole to declare that “1 of 1” is exactly the kind of rapturous jam you want to hear from Gwai Mak right now. The glassy production, the hazy vocals, the billowing atmosphere—I’m here for all of it. Landing somewhere between steamy sensuality, a tumultuous breeze, and a vaporous cloud of blunt smoke, it’s a song animated by mixed moods and shifting ambience, leaving the listener to decide if they want to bop along or close their eyes and shut out the world.
It is without its flaws? Certainly not—melodically, portions of the verses feel congested and you wish the narcotic aura of the beat was given more room to radiate and breathe. But this is all really nitpicking. The truth is “1 of 1” has been in my heavy rotation since it dropped on Spotify last week, and I don’t expect these celestial vibes to dissipate anytime soon. As long as Gwai Mak keeps conjuring this sort of spectral R&B magic, I’ll be here listening, ready to sing their praises.
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