When we last connected with Levi Watson, he was showcasing his versatility, trading in the cosmic funk of his debut for the cool minimalist vibes of “Level Up.” Since then, he’s released the chrome-plated Daydreaming as the World Ends, a retro-futurist blend of space-age beats, smooth jazz, and warm psychedelia. That was followed by singles “Low Level” and “The Space Between Us,” the latter a collaboration with vocalist Olan and Watson’s first foray into R&B. That’s a lot of pivots for a fledgling artist, but Watson approaches each turn with confidence and curiosity.
Produced by Mac Velor with assistance from Watson, “AZURE” is a return to the quirky, freewheeling sounds that first brought the rapper and producer onto our radar. The mood is light, the vibes warm weather sleek. Even when Watson flexes it feels relaxed and unpretentious. That’s not to say he doesn’t bring his A-game here. “AZURE” is in many ways about asserting his individuality and sounding off against any would-be doubters. “How dare he confirm his own worth / Make his own turf / Break his own curse / Make his own ways to surf,” he inquires in the opening verse. It’s all rhetorical, of course. But the point is less about confrontation than it is a declaration of independence. Well, that and a bit of verbal pyrotechnics. After all, you can’t have warm weather without a little heat.
Listen below.
More Info
Bandcamp: levi.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @lonerizm
SoundCloud: @levixwatson
Twitter: @levixwatson