2020 was, in a word, a shitshow. Regardless of who you are/were in 2020, we were all bent over the table in one way or another. From racial violence, the pandemic, people losing their lives and jobs and just a lot changing at once, we all had moments during that year we wish we could take back/ignore/wish we could’ve been stronger for. We all had moments where we didn’t think we’d make it, either at work, in life or somewhere in between.

VLAAD’s DEATH IN THREES EP delves into this anxiety, specifically the anxiety surrounding one’s mortality. The three-track EP features heavy production, heavy lyricism and puts us in the mind of a young man who doesn’t want his memory to be done dirty once he does pass on. There’s a lot of confronting one’s mortality here, specifically what happens to one’s memory when they’re no longer around to protect it.

If I had to say something else about the project, it’s a quick but blunt listen. That is, it’s a very heavy collection of tracks, especially considering the subject matter. However, the EP’s over in about seven minutes. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, instead opting to give us a taste of what was cut from VLAAD’s upcoming album. If this is what was cut, I’m optimistic to hear what remained. These songs, honestly, could’ve been highlights on several projects.

That said, I hope you give this one a listen and support dope music in all its forms when VLAAD’s album drops officially.