Social Introvert is out now!
Image: Jack Moran.
Sydney-based rapper, SaxONLY has dropped his debut EP, Social Introvert. To celebrate the release, the musician is taking us through the collection of songs track-by-track.
"I decided to move back home so I could focus all my attention on my music. From then on, I was writing and recording every day,' says SaxONLY. 'I’ve always been hung up on the title Social Introvert because I knew it would allow me to write how I feel in the moment, without being tied down to one feeling or perspective. Some tracks have a more open, outgoing vibe, while others feel more thoughtful and moody. With no expectations for how the EP should sound, everything naturally fell into place."
LEVEL
The EP opens with Level - it’s a punchy track that hopefully demands your attention from the very first beat. Its infectious rhythm, and I think really sets the tone for what’s to come. I wrote Level at 3 AM in my bedroom. I heard the instrumental and knew I had to make something on it.
VROOM
Vroom follows with a smooth, funky feel. I like how it showcases my ability to switch between styles. I made this song very last minute and it was one of the last songs added to the track list. I felt the EP needed more variety of styles of music so it can find new people. I this song in under an hour it sounded amazing so I trusted my gut and put it on the EP.
FAKE PEOPLE
Fake People was the first single we released from Social Introvert - a mellow track with captivating melodies. The songwriting is some of my most honest and hopefully relatable - “They be saying that they love you when they really hate you”, delivered with a blend of raw emotion and polished production.
WHAT ARE WE?
What Are We? is a reflective piece that delves into the complexities of modern relationships. Raw and real, it almost didn’t make it onto the EP. I hadn’t planned to include it until I played it on a TikTok livestream, and a fan requested it. I thought, ‘All right, sweet,’ and decided to add it.
ALL THE WAY
I recorded ‘All The Way’ with my brother at his place in Melbourne. The track takes a more upbeat and optimistic approach to love, offering a contrast to What Are We. For the first time I experimented with falsetto, crafting a memorable, feel-good chorus that elevates the song’s energy.
WHIPPIN
Whippin was created during a TikTok livestream, which was really fun. I love making music with my fans in this way. It feels very different to how I usually make music, by myself as I have the pressure of thousands of eyes watching me.
FEEL NO MORE
Another track we released as a single, Feel No More was produced in collaboration with multi-platinum producer Liam Quinn, based on a beat we developed two years prior. Liam and I made the best to this song back in 2022. I had trouble writing on it at the time but when I worked with Liam a few months ago he was really keen to finish what we started so we smashed it out in a few hours.
I LIKE
The final track on the EP if called I Like which fuses an energetic EDM beat with crisp
sounds. I wanted to really throw myself into the deep end with this track and step out of my comfort zone. I’ve never made anything like this track before but I think it was important I really branched out on this project.
Social Introvert is out now!
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