Fearlessness is a trait that suits artists well regardless of the medium that they commune with. It’s that very trait that led blackwave. to embark on a journey to reconnect with their creative process. no sleep in LA is the result of that endeavour. The duo elegantly expresses their hopes, desires and fears that accompany the act of creating. Their honesty is cutting and inspiring because it’s clear that they transformed that same fear into the songs that landed on the album.

The tracklist begins with back on track, a song that inspires the nostalgic feeling of a song that would be played after your team won any type of sports game. The tone of the lyrics confirm that the two are reinvigorated after a creative lull that seemingly halted their forward progress. Heavily layered with metaphors of seeking success, the ebbs and flows of motivation, energy blocks, setbacks and the act of overcoming time and time again, first songs on the album explore the young artists’ experience of finding themselves as musicians and creative partners after a hiatus. The duo inspires a playful tone with their lyricism while perking ears with their clever and detailed production it’s clear that blackwave. left no stone unturned while working together to build this well rounded album.

The energy of the project shifts five songs in with cracked screen - moving from a playful sunshine style of production to a high tempo house inspired track. The opening lyrics are spit with a fury while the chorus comes in a melodic almost synth like smoothness. Shattering the illusion that social media, competitors or oftentimes our own sunnyside up dispositions can cast over our goals and dreams, this track reflects on the moment that transition takes place - allowing one to see with clear eyes the path laid ahead of them.

The carefully composed artistry is complimented by hand selected features, all artists who understand and add an important voice to the journey that the duo have embarked on. It’s refreshing to see artists overtly talk about this process and the growth that comes along with it. The perfect bookend to the journey and growth that takes place throughout the overall process comes to us in the form of I miss, a beautifully written track that slows things down in a way that allows them to seep in. Co-written by an artist named Kirby, who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé and Kanye West, the track takes on a soulful energy that feels like the result of a metamorphosis that’s needed in order to reflect on how far the young artists have come along the way.