Gao the Arsonist and NotNevi Return for the Explosive “MAN IN THE CASTLE”
Grimy Brit experimental-rap meets Floridian alt-rap on “MAN IN THE CASTLE,” the latest release from frequent collaborators Gao the Arsonist and NotNevi. The two most recently linked up for the raucous, silky “GETYOURMONEYUP,” tying together respectively raucous energies like wizards of the experimental, underground scene.
Like Gao’s discography, “MAN IN THE CASTLE,” drips in the self-described “sludge” sound he’s developed throughout the past four years. NotNevi hops on for a mix of rolling, stripped down verses that balance out Gao’s grimier, explosive side of the song. “MAN IN THE CASTLE” leans into his grungy, borderline-vampiric lyricism, crafting a vivid, post-apocalyptic vision, rapping “Dawn is for sleep//Nocturnal//Repeating patterns like fractals//Body shrink, collapse into black hole//Those without sin all live in the same glass house.”
Over a delicious Mortal Kombat sample, Nevi raps “I know he don’t bite but he bark loud//That boy cap he Kung Lao//But that combat don’t concern me//I got used to all the fighting so I’m never acting worried,” tapping into antagonism on a warped, staticky verse. Teaming up with Gao, the Florida-based rapper co-produced the track–including its nostalgia scratching samples.
These muffled moments against contrasting, lower-key verses craft a 4-dimensional song that solidifies Gao and Nevi as legitimate innovators in the rap scene. Made up of a collab born in sludgy heaven, “MAN IN THE CASTLE” promises an explosive dip into the minds of its cutting-edge creators.
Written By Liz Foster
