In just over 10 minutes, Three65‘s EP “Time’s Up” opens up a dark, drug-fueled world of heartbroken recklessness. Lines like “baby, I can’t seem to face this, I’m stuck inside the matrix, I don’t know I’m faded, I could be jaded” on “Freak’s Calling” only add to this feel.
For those not familiar with Three65, imagine Michael Jackson‘s trembling, adlib-y vocal style on “Billie Jean” mixed with Roy Woods‘ throaty, drawn-out belts on “Say Less.”
However, unlike Woods and MJ, the Cleveland native’s edginess and ability to straddle hip-hop and r&b doesn’t aim to appease the masses. Three65 even flicks Spanish riffs, Juicy J’s iconic “Yeah Hoe” adlib, and aspects of EDM into his music. If that doesn’t do it for you, just know that he’s earned the Mike Dean cosign who has produced some of Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Travis Scott‘s best work. Check it out.