Music

D Smoke And SiR Testify In Their Worshipful ‘Closer To God’ Video

The Inglewood brothers share a simple video from D Smoke’s Grammy-nominated debut album. …

It has been nearly a year since D Smoke released his debut album Black Habits but fans were given a reason to revisit it (or discover it for the first time) when it was nominated for Best Rap Album in the upcoming 2021 Grammy Awards. To bolster its newfound popularity, D Smoke returned to the album once again to provide a visual treatment for one of its standout tracks: the ganja-praising anthem “Closer To God,” which is also a collaboration between D Smoke and his Top Dawg Entertainment-signed brother SiR.

The Inglewood, California siblings keep things simple in the “Closer To God” video, visiting a local church and giving testimony to the healing power of the ironically nicknamed devil’s lettuce. In the song, they wonder why they get high, concluding on the chorus “Maybe I’m tryna get closer to God.” The verses give D Smoke an opportunity to vent about the various stressors of life that prompt him to partake of the mood-elevating vegetable, from “corporations that fund genocide” to church sermons that “left me conflicted.” While the video only encompasses the first verse, it’s enough to get the point across.

Before making his critically acclaimed debut, D Smoke earned notoriety on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow competition show, winning in the inaugural season after meeting West Coast legend Snoop Dogg’s early-season challenge and refusing to back down. Recently, D Smoke also appeared on fellow indie rapper Tobe Nwigwe’s “Headshots.”

Watch the “Closer To God” video above.

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Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses“ is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires“ is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home“ by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

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Artist Spotlight

LAST ALEX! balances precision and pulse on the electrifying track “Plus 1”

LAST ALEX!, a Chicago-based artist and producer, comes out with “Plus 1,” a high-energy release that combines technical prowess with an undeniable melodic instinct.

LAST ALEX! puts both craftsmanship and creativity on display here. The song’s strength lies in its balance, in detailed execution without sacrificing feeling, and in complexity without losing momentum.

LAST ALEX! doesn’t fully lean into the cold technique or loose emotion, but finds the sweet spot where skill and soul meet. This yields a polished, vibrant, and musically confident track.

Connect with LAST ALEX! on Spotify