By: Elorm Nutakor

In the middle of December, thoughts of winter tend to be more disheartening than hopeful. It’s hard to believe that summer ever existed, but when I take time to listen to summer music, I am transported to a time when I didn’t dread simply stepping outside. This past summer my playlist drew from the likes of MAGIC!, Foxes, Ed Sheeran, and many more – but now, after listening to Flexy the Artist’s Route 63, I am reminded of a time that was and a time that will be.

Flexy is currently a local Columbia artist with ambitions to take his music to the next level. Route 63, Flexy’s debut EP, is packed with a diverse range of sounds and instrumentation as well as catchy hooks and melodies worthy of being hummed. Songs like the electropop influenced “Gabby” and the funky “Strange Coast” are representative of this quality. The instrumentation of “Missed Calls” is also reminiscent of early 2000s hits that were produced by The Neptunes such as Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” or Jay-Z’s “Excuse Me Miss.” Elements like high strung guitars, funky bass and synths really ground Flexy’s fusion of sounds.

Along with his melodic vocals, Flexy the Artist also raps on tracks like “Strange Coast” and “Hour Glass.” I would compare him to the likes of Snoop Dogg and Biggie. Listeners can even hear a bit of Slick Rick in his flow when he uses British accent in “Hour Glass.”

Overall, Route 63 is a nice listen indoors during the winter time, but when the summer hits, Route 63 will be a great addition to any poolside playlist. The EP’s standout tracks are “Strange Coast,” “Hour Glass,” and my personal favorite, “Missed Calls.” The only word to truly describe the fusion of genres on this EP is the “ever so vague” word: pop. Although pop is a word that tends to deter people, it is also a genre known for taking elements of various genre’s and making them more accessible. My advice to music listeners is simply: “Don’t run from pop.” You can check out Flexy the Artist’s debut EP on iTunes, Spotify, or Soundcloud, and for more details check out his website, or follow him on Twitter.