Nate Shy Drops Self-Titled EP | The Gatekeeper Space

There are myriad subtle textures and details that manifest in an artist’s work influenced by the place and environment they lived in, and somehow, the way their roots beam in the bones of their creation is impressive enough to hook you in. Nate Shy’s newest EP thrives in this from the tight lyrics to dusty beats, capturing the feel of his home from Imperial Valley with “Nate Shy”.

The young Mexican-American songwriter and recording artist has been pursuing his passion for years now. Now, he’s finding his own lane—blending culture, emotion, and real-life stories into every track.

Freak as an opener welcomes you with a nice kick of groove that grabs you gently from smooth and laid-back beats. The layer of the track gives dreamy and atmospheric vibes that match Shy’s smooth and flowing verses. The recurring lyrics “different frequency” is where the title “freak” came from. The clever wordplay and rhyme schemes stand out, it’s perfect for chill hangouts and late-night drives.

The lead track Sunkist echoes with sun-scorched beats with surrounding sounds that throw you in the field, letting you feel the heat that penetrates in your face as you hear faint dialogues and conversations in the background. Even if you’re not fond of hip-hop, Shy’s delivery is impeccable enough that you won’t even notice your head nodding and jamming along with every verse he drops. It’s written with precision and grit as he honors his roots, both resilient and grounded. Vel Nine, on the other hand, brought out more dynamics and details to the track.

Mi Amor might trick you into thinking it’s a love song, but no, it gives anything but softness and adoration. It locks you in with laid-back beats followed by sterling narrative that is unabashed and playful in its delivery. The track is more of a diss, it’s blunt and full of sarcasm wrapped in chill and relaxing lo-fi beats.

Wake Up maintains the overall vibe of the track. Shy’s raps flow lightly, with a chorus that is addicting and will stick to your ears for long. While Send Me (Somebody) ends the album great, with interesting layers complimenting each other so well. The ukulele and horn adds a great texture, elevating the track.

Nate Shy excellently demonstrated his artistry in this project. His perspective from growing up in a heavily Mexican populated and agricultural area is truly manifested in this EP. If you love authenticity and stories rooted in lived experiences narrated through rap and hip-hop, Nate Shy’s Nate Shy EP might be for you.