E3 (album)
| E3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 1, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Pop-trap | |||
| Length | 34:14 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Producer |
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| Midwxst chronology | ||||
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| Singles from E3 | ||||
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E3 is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Midwxst, released on September 1, 2023, by Geffen Records. The album consists of pop-trap, notably softer than Midwxst's previous work. It was preceded by two singles, "Pretty Girls" and "Warning".
Most of the album was co-written and produced by Drew Drucker and Sophie Belle Grajcer, among other collaborators. Other producers include Charlie Heat, Psymun, and Romil Hemnani.
Background[edit]
Midwxst said that the album had "been in my head since I was 17", with him having kept "a full notepad in my phone with the script for the interludes on the project and the ideas that eventually became E3."[1] He called the album an "emotional journey through the mistakes I've made as a person and that 'E3', the protagonist of the story, is constantly facing and having to finally come to terms with."[1]
Release[edit]
The album's name was first announced on July 7, 2023, with the release of lead single "Pretty Girls".[2][3] The single came with a music video directed by Ari Nissenbaum which features Midwxst and different women in various highly saturated scenarios.[2][3] Midwxst revealed the album's release date and cover art on July 12.[4] On August 4, Midwxst released the second single, "Warning".[5] The album was released on September 1 by Geffen Records.[6][7]
Composition[edit]
E3 consists of a "nimbly eclectic mode of pop-trap",[6] with layers of rock[6] and gospel,[6][7] and softer melodies than his previous hyperpop and rage rap work.[6] The album is also said to be "a rollercoaster that takes you through the sounds of hip-hop, pop, rock, hyperpop, and emo rap."[1] Midwxst is said to have a "pop-punkesque vocal quality".[7]
Reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 6/10[8] |
| Pitchfork | 6.5/10[6] |
Clash's Robin Murray said the album gives "a feeling of tentative step forward, rather than radical leaps."[8] Pitchfork's Hattie Lindert wrote that the album "positions Midwxst not as a Playboi Carti heir, but a pop star in his own right."[6] HotNewHipHop's Zachary Horvath said that Midwxst "really tries so many different things" with the album, and that "it is one thing to try, but he succeeds here."[1] The Fader's Arielle Lana LeJarde said the album "hooks you from the beginning with gospel-infused 'Lost' and keeps you engaged with a variety of genres throughout its entirety."[7]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Edgar Nathaniel Sarratt III, Drew Drucker, and Sophie Belle Grajcer (except track 7 written solely by Sarratt), with others noted. All tracks except 7 produced by Drucker and Sophie Gray with others noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lost" |
|
| 3:22 |
| 2. | "Pretty Girls" |
|
| 3:00 |
| 3. | "Warning" |
|
| 2:52 |
| 4. | "Lights Out" |
|
| 2:32 |
| 5. | "Heartache Blues" |
|
| 3:46 |
| 6. | "Ball & Chain" |
|
| 2:54 |
| 7. | "Grandpas Interlude" | 1:13 | ||
| 8. | "Old Me" |
|
| 3:13 |
| 9. | "S.F.B." |
|
| 2:48 |
| 10. | "Like Nah" |
|
| 2:32 |
| 11. | "Hate How Much" |
|
| 2:42 |
| 12. | "Ready for You" |
|
| 3:20 |
| Total length: | 34:14 | |||
Personnel[edit]
Musicians[edit]
- Midwxst – vocals
- Aaron Shadrow – guitar (1), bass guitar (1), drums (1), synthesizer (5, 6, 12)
- Psymun – guitar (1), bass guitar (1)
- Anthony "Jawan" McEastland, Nikki Grier, and Naarai Jacobs – choir (1)
- Sophie Gray – synthesizer (4, 10), additional vocals (5, 6, 9–12)
- Drew Dvorsky – guitar (4–6, 8, 10, 12), bass guitar (5, 8, 11)
- Aaron Leibowitz – flute (5, 8), saxophone (8, 9, 12)
- Kim Vi – piano (5, 12)
- Roark Bailey – synthesizer (6)
- Austin Corona – guitar (8, 10), bass guitar (9, 10)
- Romil Hemnani – piano (8)
- Wyatt Bernard – piano (9), synthesizer (10)
- Denzel Curry – additional vocals (9)
- Ericdoa – additional vocals (9)
- Drew Drucker – guitar (11), additional vocals (11)
Technical[edit]
- Drew Drucker – audio engineer, mixing engineer
- Mike Tucci – mastering engineer
- John Armstrong – additional engineer (1, 2, 4, 5)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Horvath, Zachary (September 3, 2023). "Midwxst Brings All Sorts of Sounds to His Debut Album E3". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Renshaw, David (July 7, 2023). "Midwxst shares "Pretty Girls" video, announces debut album title". The Fader. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Gregory, Allie (July 7, 2023). "Midwxst Announces Debut Album E3, Shares "Pretty Girls"". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Midwxst [@midwxst] (July 12, 2023). "E3 is here. 9/1. vinyl pre-order + new merch in bio". Retrieved September 28, 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ ""Warning" / Midwxst". Tidal. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lindert, Hattie (September 7, 2023). "Midwxst: E3 Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d LeJarde, Arielle Lana (September 1, 2023). "New Music Friday: This week's essential new projects". The Fader. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Murray, Robin (September 1, 2023). "Midwxst – E3". Clash. Retrieved September 28, 2023.