Azekel

One might be concerned that comparisons to Frank Ocean and the Weeknd are a tad hasty after only a half-dozen or so appearances, but Azekel is ready to match those expectations. The Circa EP (his first complete body of work) is a five-track timestamp of emotionally significant moments in the young East Londoner's life. It begins in the present with "In The Zone '13," a club-ready cut comprised of heavy synth stabs, deep filters and stuttered vocals. Easily the most Lonny Breaux-esque track on the EP, one could imagine this song playing in the background during a FIFA 14 loading screen. From there, we travel back five years to "Official'07," where a side-chained Wurlitzer & white noise back Azekel's appeal to formalize a relationship. Light rimshots give way to an apocalyptic eight bars of sub-bass as fears of infidelity rise to the surface, only to return to unreciprocated, gentle pleas as the song fades out. "No Ordinary Love '10" explores the unrequited love between the son and his absentee father, sampling both Sade's song of the same name and Will Smith's heart-wrenching The Fresh Prince of Bel Air monologue after Ben Vareen walks out on him once again (a generation-defining moment). The bubbly electric percussion of "Be Mine '03" captures a simpler teenage yearning for love, followed by end-of-your-world tears in the skit "Dockland Blues '05." Circa is short and to the point, but speaks to the sensibilities and talent Azekel has to offer. We'll be hearing more from him soon enough.