Written by Marilù Ciabattoni
Discovered via Musosoup
Describing themselves as a “multi-genre duo,” New York-based artists Edge Jean-Philippe and Babi Lou are bringing summer vibes back in their EP Endless Summer 2, distributed by Sakapfet Records.
Their sound definitely has some reggae and afrobeat influences, reminding me of artists like Burna Boy and J Hus. Lyric-wise, the album conveys the careless, easy-going feel of summer (hence the title). Each song is a hedonistic anthem to be blasted at parties and get down to. The artists’ voices–heavily autotuned–melt with each other perfectly as they walk us through different scenarios, all having one thing in common: the desire to forget everything and have fun.
However, when I say that these songs are musically accessible, I don’t mean family-friendly: Edge and Babi Lou constantly describe scenes of partying while drinking, grinding and occasionally doing drugs.
The opening track, “3 Seconds,” sets the mood of the album: introducing layered vocals, catchy bars, background harmonies and sound effects that will accompany us throughout the album, Edge and Babi Lou hook us in within the first three seconds.
Moving on to the next song, the way the two rap in “If You Wit It” reminds me of Yung Gravy and Bbno$’s magnetic flow in Baby Gravy 2. That harmonic line in the background walks us through the song, which is more aggressive than the previous one: it is more flirty and seductive just like its music video.
The two following songs, “Sorry” and “Intoxicated,” feature lyrics that would raise some eyebrows. “Sorry” is a pseudo-love song for a girl met on the dancefloor at a club, who’s compared to a lesser-known Cardi B (“How you moving got me offset can you be my Cardi,” which is actually a great reference to her relationship with Offset). “Intoxicated,” as the title suggests, describes a drowsy night out (“Can’t think straight I’m up late / Can’t talk right can’t relay / I blacked out can’t replay / I passed out I’m three faded”), although that is not necessarily seen as a bad activity to be engaging in despite the negative nature of the term.
“Can’t Stay” reflects the conflicted mind of the artists, weighing in on whether they should stay at a party or go home where they have “a bad [...] I hear screaming my name.” Just like the previous tracks, their voices are harmonized over each other, creating the sensation of a warm breeze at a mid-summer party.
Finally, “Do It Again” is a high-energy banger, closing the album in the same way it started, and implying that, once the two are done with partying, they are going to do it all again the next time. The track opens with a string melody and some piano chords that vaguely recall “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. The artists’ interpretation helps convey the lyrics switching from singing to rapping and vice versa. The instrumentals are dynamic and opulent, in the sense that they’re rich in sounds. At last, the song ends in the same way it started.
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