The outro of Soul’s Daniel-San (Demos) EP, “Next Time” is a contemplation of the average human/average indie artist. Yes, it’s freeing to be able to release whenever. However, life as an indie artist who still has a day-to-day outside of music is tough. It’s partly the reason why I legit “retired” from making music and sometimes have to go on SOTB.com sabbaticals. Creatives get drained, too. But that’s not all the song brings us.

Now, “Next Time” plays as if this next time may be the last time because it’s the present time. The DIY artist wants you to grasp life and run with it. The song wants you to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and see where you fit in life. If you don’t fit anywhere, make a hole. That’s the vibe I get from “Next Time.” Even when he gets down to his last in some ways, he still loves making music. Add that onto a jazzy beat that’s equally sentimental and knocking, and you’ve got a conscious, boombap-friendly look into the mind of an indie artist.

I only meant to talk about the song. However, the EP is also full of dope rhymes, a flow that’s both vintage and new and shiny and the heart of a champion. All in all, this is good stuff. You need it in your speakers, point blank. The project also gives us a look at where Raw Soul has been up to since dropping The Average Package earlier this year. Check out Daniel-San below and remember to support dope music in all its forms.