Matt Ox‘s early viral success doesn’t scratch the surface of the creative promise he’s been showing. “Maintained” is a record that I genuinely think moves the needle forward, it is not to be dismissed. Ox gets inventive with his delivery, really capitalizing on his unique voice with some stunning flows. McCoy handles the production, boasting it’s heavy and ominous tones. The banging bass and haunting sample make for the perfect backdrop for a raw performance. Ox succeeds in giving his fans a look into the future sound of hip-hop. For me, the song is super exciting and refreshing, intriguing me to pay close attention to his subsequent releases.
Not to mention, the video is impressive as well. Directed by DotComNirvan, these frames add to the chaotic feeling and disillusion the vocals bring to the record. The shaky camera movement keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, not allowing them to get too comfortable while watching it. I think this is an excellent outing for Matt Ox, and it shows that this guy has a lot of potential. You’ll be hearing his name for a long while.
