NAVIG8

Shot by @gabriel_niedojadlo

Downtown Kayoto is one of the most engaging, intriguing and multi-dimensional artists in the UK right now.

The Zimbabwe born, Hull raised musician has been garnering acclaim for his genre-bending sound brimming with poignance and nostalgia, and his cinematic visual accompaniments.  His EP, ’NAVIG8’ is an enthralling, emotionally potent and endoscopic journey through a plethora of sound, style and emotion. 

The six-pronged EP features three previous singles, as well as three new helpings from the enigmatic figure. The DnB influenced ‘Hello World’ is a much welcomed inclusion with its dazzlingly individual approach to genre, as is the sun-kissed R&B stunner ‘Karma Called’. The final single before the release of the EP, ‘PFL’ highlights the extent of Downtown’s diversity, with the apparent infusion of noughties indie combined with expressive rap verses. 

Lead single ‘NAVIG8’ is the stand out from the new tracks, and arguably the pick of the bunch. Reminiscent of Brockampton with its saturated and tastefully autotune vocals, the track carries an awe-struck vitality that is such a rarity that when it does happen, all you can do is sit back and enjoy. We are also treated to album opener ‘Proud’, which is an emotionally potent and wistful indie tune, as well as catchy pop offering ‘Levi’s 501’.

Speaking on the EP, Downtown commented:

“This ’NAVIG8’ EP is going to be one of the hardest things that I’ve done in my life, to make a body of work that reflects my passion and the many hours that have gone into carving multiple sounds that I feel I can live in.”

As effective rapping as singing, the pure variety of Downtown’s vocality on the EP is immensely impressive; as is the eclectic sonic palettes and encapsulation of strikingly different moods and concepts. An assured and memorable body of work, expect lots more to come from one of our favourite upcoming artists.