Most of the time, navigating through our complicated life maze is really hard; what can we do? That’s normal. Not everyone can have a perfect life. We have to look for ways to make it worthwhile, bearable, and fun, and one effective way to do it is through music. One great example of this is the NYC-based artist from Michigan, Graphene. This rising artist found himself in the middle of everything and has managed to get through all of it through music, releasing the album “Life’s a Bar.” Released on May 17th, 2024, this 16-track album guarantees a heartfelt and cool listening experience for the listeners since it is loaded with great sounds and good stories!
Hear me out—this album is absolute goodness! When I say it is loaded, I am not lying. It is packed with amazing production and instrumentalities done by the artist, which highlights how skilled and talented he is in his crafts. A fair warning: the delivery of this album is just fire; from the performance delivery to the vocals featured, everything is great, so you are really in for a ride.
“Life’s an Intro” introduces us to the whole album. This is a track that features a collection of commentaries from different people about what life is. Every person has a different perspective on what life is all about, and this track highlighted the concept of life being complex. Since this is a recording based on different people, this makes it closer to one’s soul when listened to. Not only does it reflect someone else’s truth, but it also carries a deeper meaning of life being a much bigger exploration or playground. This thought-provoking entry is a great way to start this album.
“New Koat” comes next! It is a track with a soulful and jazzy introduction, then comes the amazing drop, and then the spitfire delivery of lines by Graphene. This track is a story about achieving success and potential. This artist acknowledges that life challenges can be hard, but determination and perseverance can definitely be a big help in surviving. This is an absolute banger! “Broken Watch | Broken Phone” closely follows! First off, the vocals—it is insanely great! The tone is rich, and the vibe is really off the roof! This track has a slow start, and it definitely is a slow jam. This is a type of music that you will listen to when you’re having a slow, chill night after a tiring day.
One thing that is unique about this album is the featured tracks that contain the recording and life lessons from Nana. The tracks “Nana said… Read” and “Nana said… Push” are recordings of Nana’s great lessons for Graphene that he willingly shared for the world to listen to. So, listen to what Nana has to say! Not only that, but in this collection, beats and melodies just work perfectly for this artist, and this can be heard through tracks “Claressa (Champion),” “Seed Round”, “Concrete Rose”, “What You Want”, “U N I”, and “Any Given Sunday,” so be sure to check out these tracks as well; it’s all absolutely genius!
“810,” however, is another personal track. This tells us a story that showcases the life of Graphene as he grows up in a tough environment. This also narrates the story of his hopes and ambitions while having difficulty navigating the guilt that he has. Moreover, this also highlights the importance of his support group and how it positively impacted his life and his belief in a great future. On the other hand, “Pregame” showcases the story of a game that’s very close to Graphene’s heart—football. This track is a snippet of what the mindset of an athlete looks like. It is focused and determined, yet it also talks about the anxieties and uncertainties brought by jitters just right before the game starts. This song highlights the importance of respect for the game, teamwork, and, at the same time, the focus on staying in the moment.
“Pregame” is a powerful and introspective look at the mindset of an athlete before a crucial game. The song delves into the anxieties, focus, and determination required to succeed. It also emphasizes the importance of teamwork, respect for the game, and staying present in the moment. This one sure showcases another thing: not only is Graphene a great rapper and artist, but he is also a respectable football player. Speaking of mindset, the tracks “Bobby Caldwell” and “Frank Lucas” offer the same themes. These tracks are two absolutely great songs that feature the usual great production and spitfire delivery of lines from Graphene—a sure-fire-worthy listen!
“Superstar Outro” closes the curtains on this album. It is the last track that is packed with sick beats and R&B undertones from the get-go. This track still highlights the amazing rapping skills and delivery on Graphene just as observed in all the tracks in this album, making this an awesome ending for this project.
Life is a Bar is an absolute fire of an album. These tracks are absolute bangers! Collectively, it was well-written, and the storytelling was clear and succinct, making it easier for the listeners to relate to each track. Production-wise, this is top-notch! It is wild that these are all independently done. This only proves how skilled and talented the artist is in his craft. But of course, the main catalyst for all this goodness is none other than Graphene, the mind and soul behind this album. His raps are insanely great! It sounds natural, and the delivery is so clean and sleek! He has also offered an entirely different selection of tracks in this whole album, presenting a different vibe in each track, which made all these enjoyable up until the last chords. With all these, the general verdict for this album is awesome! Definitely worth listening to!
So, don’t miss out! Check out “Life is a Bar,” now available on all your favorite platforms! Stream it, and don’t forget to add this album to your playlist! Follow Graphene on his socials too! Get fresh updates on his new music releases and upcoming projects! “Life is a Bar” by Graphene is out now!
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About the Author
Born and raised in one of the 7000-ish islands in the Philippines, a self-proclaimed professional fangirl, with a degree in Biology. She probably annoy the people around her so much for not speaking and speaking too much. A frustrated writer, yes!
