Megann Horstead
Social Media Editor
Artist: Jason Maek
Album: Do Epic Sh!t – EP
Based in Chicago, Jason Maek was on a mission to start up the world’s first free music label and now that he has, he’s dropped EPs for both himself and Zaena, his signee.
Maek’s work (along with Zaena’s) was recently listed as two of the top ten artists to watch by Elicit Magazine. Maek’s debut EP looks to bring the bang to summer 2014 by entertaining a schedule of appearances and performances.
With similarities in musical stylings to influences tracing as high as Kanye West, Maek could be the artist to swipe his throne. If Kanye’s album “Yeezus” (2013) stirred up anything worth noting, it’s that he’s doing too much and not enough of what Maek does.
With music rooted in hip-hop and fused with elements of pop, Maek’s “Do Epic Sh!t” starts off with a boom. “Just Chill” features Zaena and the song offers listeners a nice proposition to tune in. The beat is smooth, stylish, and inviting—everything that a chill opening sound is supposed to be. He shows his likeability in the way his voice meticulously finesses and rides the beat. Just when you think you have Maek all figured out, he breaks out into a grittier version of himself. He goes low—musically and artistically.
“Lights Off” is a ruthless song with statement liable to make its presence known. Maek starts off sounding like Chicago’s Lupe Fiasco and it works. Maek doesn’t let it drag for long. Soon after he is heard making a smooth swap for the Kanye West-esque sound. His lyricism is on point in levying the song to unthinkable heights. With the track paying homage to the likes of Deadmau5, Flux Pavilion, and others, he creates synergetic rhythm complementary to his message of never-ending hope and revival.
Maek goes straight at us like a monster in the song “Ew.” When he weaved in the line, about going off the margins, it narrowed the listener’s focus on his off-the-cuff, unexpected punch lines. All the while, Maek handles the complexities of race and struggle in a near seamless fashion. The chorus’s hard-hitting bass and chopped-and-screwed production element makes for a bold move and perhaps the beginnings of a movement.
In the song “Fallin,” Maek’s sincerity and emotion ebb profusely. Zaena makes another guest appearance and shines effortlessly as a vocalist—purposeful, effortless. Lyrically, Maek takes a leap and seizes the opportunity to drop this line: “Rinse, wash, repeat, life’s on the same cycle.” From recycling this concept, Maek encourages listeners to take a leap with him into his songs and it’s well worth it.
The feel of electronic pop takes over the moment the music starts in Maek’s “Silver Spoons.” The song possesses an added nuance in echo-like quality that helps to build up the song. Its message is clear and sheds light on the truth of a city girl’s reality. Maek clearly asserts how pity is unwarranted for the struggle and enduring strength that women are showcasing.
With “God Made All Of Us,” Maek references Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream.” While doing so, the song takes listeners on a trip to experience the musical stylings originating in the south and adding a flavor of hip-hop. For this record, Zaena again is supplying vocals, the song soars with accuracy and hits on point with its pathos. But also in this song, listeners witness Maek trading in most of the rapping for soulful crooning.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh take on hip-hop or an array of sounds to break up the monotony on your music playing device, you may find that Jason Maek’s “Do Epic Sh!t” is just the bang you need to amp up your collection.
Rating: ****
