If you’re looking for a fresh musical experience that blends deep introspection with genre-bending sounds, FRGN-SPCMN’s latest album, RIDE AROUND THE SUN, should be on your radar. This North Carolina duo, Ronnie Belle and André Jones, have fused hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and experimental vibes into a cohesive project that feels like an emotional journey. Here are five reasons you should dive into this mesmerising album:
1. It’s a Genre-Bending Soundscape
FRGN-SPCMN are known for pushing boundaries, and RIDE AROUND THE SUN is no exception. The album defies easy categorisation, blending hip-hop rhythms with jazzy guitar licks, R&B grooves, and atmospheric, ambient layers. This unique mix creates an album that feels both refreshingly innovative and warmly familiar, appealing to listeners from a variety of musical backgrounds.
2. Storytelling at Its Finest
The title track, featuring Mez and Ace Henderson, is a perfect example of FRGN-SPCMN’s skill in using lyrics to tell a story. Mez’s verses explore the highs and lows of life with raw honesty, while Henderson’s haunting hook speaks to the duality of pain and pleasure. This focus on meaningful storytelling adds a layer of depth to each track, making the album feel like a collection of life reflections as much as it is a collection of songs.
3. Inspired by the Mystical Desert of Joshua Tree
FRGN-SPCMN found their creative spark for this project in Joshua Tree, California, a place known for its vast and almost otherworldly landscapes. The album’s atmosphere captures this desert energy, with wide-open soundscapes that feel endless, much like the stretch of desert under a starlit sky. This influence adds a unique and almost meditative quality to the album that sets it apart from typical hip-hop or R&B records.
4. Perfect for Late-Night Listening
RIDE AROUND THE SUN delivers a vibe that’s tailor-made for late-night drives, introspective moments, or unwinding after a long day. The duo’s use of slower tempos and rich production choices makes the music feel immersive and cinematic, a perfect backdrop for reflective moments. It’s the kind of album that you’ll want to keep coming back to when you need to escape and think.
5. It’s a Journey We Can All Relate To
The album’s core theme revolves around navigating the chaos of life while finding meaning in each turn. FRGN-SPCMN use their music to explore universal ideas of struggle, joy, and self-discovery. This relatability is woven throughout, reminding listeners that we’re all sharing this journey around the sun, dealing with our unique challenges but connected by common experiences.
If you’re in search of an album that offers a fresh, genre-blurring take on life’s complexities, RIDE AROUND THE SUN by FRGN-SPCMN should be at the top of your playlist. This is more than an album – it’s an experience.