I confess I am an old man, so when I get to listen to some new hip hop my bar has been set at “Please, let there be no autotune or trap-along production”. Happily, Miami’s ToBy (Reggie Baril) clears both bars with ease. The production, by Oebeats, deserves a shout out as it compliments ToBy’s easy, laidback delivery perfectly. Summertime is here, and the jazzy guitar undertones on opening track “Osiris”, and “New Car” nudge the songs along like a gentle evening breeze. Southside uses a synth bass which sends out a subtle 80s nod, which for this 50-year-old is nothing but bliss. The trap-style beats are subtle and sit just right in the mix.
Lead track (assuming that is why it is the only one with a video on YouTube), “Play Out” provides some bounce and a switch-up inflow. If one needs a modern reference point, I would say this whole EP would sit comfortably in Tyler The Creator’s Wolf Gang/Golf wang stable, albeit without the murderous undertones.
ToBy doesn’t just rap, his songs often contain sung parts or even, in the case of “Cascades”, more singing than rapping. Even though this song is a mourning of love coming to an end it is still something to float in the pool and sing along to. The Outside EP is the perfect accompaniment to your Summer, no matter how you are forced to spend it. Take your car, get this on your playlist, and drift effortlessly along as you drive through the masked masses. Have yourself a chilled out, socially distant disco.
