basicadolessence

[basicadolessence]

Sik-K - HEADLINER (Deluxe+) *REVIEW*

Over the past week, Sik-K delivered his fans surprise after surprise. The rapper first announced he was releasing a Deluxe+ version of his ‘HEADLINER’ LP. A couple of days later, he revealed his plans to complete his mandatory military service ‘soon’. Fans barely had a day to enjoy the extended version of HEADLINER, before Sik-K announced that the 29th of June, was the day of his enlistment.

And so today, on the day the rapper leaves for his 18-month service, let’s review his HEADLINER Deluxe LP.

The 16-track LP), begins with HEADLINER STR4BARS (Big Celebration). The intro, produced by Bronze, a new name to  Sik-K fans, opens with the rapper’s characteristic use of autotune and, as the title suggests, straight bars setting the tone for the rest of the album.

And that tone is straight fire as the rapper tells his listeners to ‘welcome this Asian’ as the beat drops. With layers of his distinctive and masterful ad-libs scattered throughout, Sik-K assures his fans that he doesn’t care for the empty words of haters, before riling up listeners through repetition of ‘Headliner, Big celebration.’

The LP’s title track RSVP is a light and fun bop, kind of reminiscent of Loco’s ‘OPPA’ (but only kind of). In the song, the rapper talks to the struggles of making plans as a workaholic who ‘doesn’t know of anything besides work’ (original lyric is ‘넌 일 밖에 모르지… you said’). But, in accordance with the music video produced by VAVIL, the song appears to be about juggling three girls at once – perhaps the ‘2 more songs’ are actually describing the other 2 girls stopping the rapper from meeting with someone.

In Uno Gotta Run, produced by GroovyRoom, Sik-K claims ‘Uno that’s me’ and that there is no laziness in his blood - something that can be proven when the album comes out (original lyric is ‘난 가진 적이 없지 게으름 피울 때를, Album 나오면 알겠지 왜 그런 지를’). Indeed, leaving for the military right after releasing an album can be a testament to his lack of laziness. Interestingly, the second-half of the track transitions into a Psychedelic Trance-esque EDM experience, diversifying the rapper’s already diverse body of work.

JOE is the last of the new releases on the album. In his Instagram story, the rapper revealed that the Joe he promises to love and not hurt no more, is none other than his own mother.

Moving onto the songs in the original album, the Woogie-produced and Crush-featuring Darling, finds the rapper asking for his darling to find him. This track is followed by New Love, produced by GXXD (AKA Girlnexxtdoor). Again, this track is littered with auto-tuned ad-libs placed everywhere they should be, as the rapper declares he is “ready to get boo’d up” and “already got a new love.” Here, there’s a clear finding-love narrative being told, but it’s disrupted by the next song: She’s Gone (produced by Way Ched). Sik-K croons that it seems like he isn’t ready yet (original lyric is ‘난 준비가 안됐나 봐 아직’) and he needs to move on from a past love. So, it appears the rapper is voicing the struggles of someone struggling with heartache and is pretending to be okay.

In IBTFY, featuring label-mate Ph-1, Sik-K seems to give his fans a bit of comfort for his sudden departure. He, perhaps, promises to take everything on later - the torment and all of the emotions (original lyrics is ‘나중에 내가 전부 다 받아줄게’). The rapper further encourages listeners to let out their troubles, or rather, ‘Let it go like Elsa.’ Ending the song with the repetition of ‘I’ll be there for you (what IBTFY stands for, in case you were wondering) when you are all alone’, comes to fans like a hug from the rapper to be held onto until the rapper returns to music late next year.

Sik-k fans, hang in there and enjoy the LP – it’s Sik-K’s ‘gift’ according to an Instagram post made by the rapper’s label.