Ultramarine

Bold, blasé and bohemian, Wesley Joseph further illustrates his impeccable craft on ‘Ultramarine’. Picking up where he left off from on the electrifying and cinematic ‘Thrilla’, Joseph returns with another visually and sonically immaculate effort. 

One of the most exciting newcomers in the alternative rap field, Joseph has five releases to his name, with each offering more focused and avant garde than the last. The all round creative has excelled in each and every aspect of his art; whether production, rapping or singing. Wesley recently showed the extent of his artistry by branching out into film making, unleashing the heart wrenching and powerful short film ‘Pandomony’ which he wrote, directed and scored. 

On ‘Ultramarine’, dark, dingy piano chords, snappy drums and hollow bass combine to give the part jazz ballad, part old skool hip hop hybrid an opaque and misty soundscape. The tense and murky timbre is mirrored in the gothic, gorgeous and psychedelic self directed visuals that feature grandiose costume design and palatial setting. 

Wesley hits both the skippy rap flows and pitched vocal hooks with seamless ease, transitioning between the two vocal textures with acumen and dynamism, while the lyricism is vivid and emotionally resonant. The ambiguous and unsettling saxophone outro leaves the audience in a state of elated confusion, as we ponder the deeper meanings behind each carefully constructed concept. 

One of the standout artist in alternative UK music right now, we wait with bated breath for Wesley Joseph to once again blesses us with his Byzantine genius.