Music

Shojizero – Not Hiiiii Enough

Bounding in with his first release of the year, the ever-elusive ShojiZero is haunting on the new drop ‘Not Hiiiii Enough’.

Boasting a broody, trap-Esque rhythm lined with heavy bass hits and a hint of metal flair, the New Jersey-based rapper delivers a track that is ominous, exciting, and entirely unique. Produced by frocious, its gritty rhythm and quick flow changes keep you on your feet, a signature element of ShojiZero’s work. The sinister sound samples reflect the lyrical narrative, which is one of rampant illicit activity due to inflated egos, and how being overly confident can often do more bad than good. “If you follow the lyrics, it tells a pretty violent story” ShojiZero explains, “There’s a shooting involved, drug dealing, and some pretty graphic stuff. My overall purpose with this song is to warn younger people of becoming too confident. Don’t get me wrong, confidence is essential for many things in life. But too many people today think that they’re greater than themselves and that they’re above the natural way of things. “Not Hiiiii Enough” is basically a song about people who pretend to be something they’re not, and it gets the best of them. Average high school and college-aged kids love to act like famous rappers, celebrities, and mobsters when they couldn’t be further from that. Some people simply don’t know how to be humble and I feel like that is a major contributor to the many social issues that we face today. As a young, independent artist the last thing I want to do is continue to promote this blindly arrogant mindset.

Always working on his craft, there is nothing more exciting in the world to ShojiZero than music. His aptitude for bold instrumentals and addictive melodies borrow from a wide range of genres, yet his clever approach to structure switches them into something that is entirely his own. After beginning to write at the age of 14, he has performed in countless local bands, including his current band The Last Martyr, and also dropped his debut EP ‘Leo Season’ last year, which features his biggest hit to date ‘Six Six Six’, racking up over 16,000 streams on Spotify. Focusing on the underbelly of society and the struggle of mental health as the inspiration for his bars, his immeasurable talent at the age of just 21 is sure to develop into an artist who will stand the test of time.

A producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, ShojiZero is a triple threat too good to ignore.

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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.

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