What type of music do you like to put on to help you unwind after a long day? Perhaps some Bonobo or Neon Indian? If that’s your jam, more power to ya (they’re both great artists), but for some reason I find solace in the onslaught that is trap.
This track called “Henny” is off of STUCA’s debut EP, Construct. The 3 track EP shows off some interesting sounds, but “Henny” is the star of the show. Honestly, I don’t know what an EP even is anymore given the digital environment we now live in. EP stands for “extended play” and originally referred to a vinyl record which contained around 3-4 tracks. This would contrast to an LP, which stood for “long play,” and would be considered a full album. There may be some satisfaction involved with releasing an EP as a self-contained project as opposed to trickling out singles.
It has such an aggressive vibe which starts off with a powerful intro that I would describe as industrial sounds emanating from an abandoned warehouse. The song is not very long, just over 2 minutes, but the length helps the song avoid sounding stale, as no segment is recycled. For those that can’t get enough, there is always the replay button which beckons for attention.
If you’re wondering why “Henny” has a different album art than the rest of the EP, it’s because it was released by Jadu Dala, a record label which posts experimental trap music. And again, I’m not sure I know what a record label is in this day and age. Traditionally, they function as a publishing, distributing, and marketing company for musicians. But since emphasis has gone from pressing records to uploading to websites, there’s not as much that record labels do that artists can’t already do themselves. One area that these “labels” still hold value is in visibility. It can be difficult or impossible for skilled artists to gain exposure, but if one of their songs is released through a well-known label then it can skyrocket their reach overnight. Artists will submit their songs to Jadu Dala who reviews them and decides if they’d like to post the song under their name.
