A frantic shout of “THIS IS THE ARSONIST!” begins “Gunslinger,” the latest release from British experimental rapper Gao the Arsonist. Gao’s discography is tinged with JPEGMAFIA, Earl Sweatshirt, and clipping. isms, but he’s generated a sound unique enough to warrant its own name: sludge.

“Gunslinger” is Gao at his sludgiest. “I'll be empty-handed if I ever drop the gun tucked in my belt/Rummage through my pockets but there's nothing much to offer but myself,” he coos on a chorus that marks a whispery break from the rest of the track. Gao straddles lines of freaky coolness and aloof with his balance of quick flows and . These stylistic switches nestle “Gunslinger” firmly into the already fleshed-out vibes of Gao’s works. He’s commanded the craft of image and brand curation with shining authenticity.

Radar pings and murky, spiny production accompanies his fast-paced verses and chorus. Per one of Gao’s own Tik Toks, the melody is “feels like you’re wandering the desert with nothing but your house and your gun.” The sludgieness rears its head through the crackling, haunting melody running beneath the track. It’s a masterclass in mystery, painting Gao as a looming figure in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. He leans into this imagery, admitting “There's violence in my skillset/Now I'm self-employed for targets clients haven't killed yet.”
Get sludge-pilled before it's too late. Stream “Gunslinger” here, and keep up with Gao the Arsonist on Twitter and Instagram.