As one third of the pioneering collective WSTRN, Louis Rei has seen formidable success, with the breakthrough In2 (the last real British summer smash) and the sounds that followed played an underrated part in the current state of the British scene (and one could even argue the global acceptance of the current Afroswing momentum). Consisting of three individual talents, the group allowed them to experiment further on their unique styles and their versatility gave us an array of vibes to enjoy. However, even before that, I had known of Louis but nothing to do with music, so then when I heard a righteous soul expressing through poignant raps and wavy melodies and made the connection, I saw this potential. Though happy for his catapult to success with the group, through solo tracks he would simultaneously release on his soundcloud (including the fan-favourite Relax), I would hear more of his artistry, and with his introduction being through the group and a more light-hearted upbeat sound, I could see that seeping through, like there was so much more he wanted to say. He’s been a top ten rapper in the country for some time, cemented with his standout feature on Nines’ album. How he carried himself online, as he made transitions in real life, with his Rei of Light segments and rare freestyles that cut through and helped be the mortar to the foundation that is this EP, Inhale.
Being in the game for close to a decade and only just releasing his debut EP, I can imagine how it must have felt to harbour all those emotions and experiences, though titled Inhale, it must have felt more like an exhale to finally deliver this. A concise 7 track project, it starts with Who Am I, setting off the theme, he’s able to give insight into the whirlwind, behind the smoke and mirrors, as a man and a father before anything else. Truth Be Told, he’s flowing venomously over the heavy drums (with it’s 50 Cent – Window Shopper sample), “I was on the main road, then I went mainstream”. You have to trust the universe’s timing, because I don’t think this project comes to be without this maturity, with tracks like Shiesty featuring Tiggs Da Author, which blends into the introspective Reign. Credit to the musicianship (with producer Oh Em Why), it’s such as well crafted project, no reach or compromising the craft, down to the outros. Still, might be more of the forthcoming sound to expect from him, as he paints a personal picture over another notable sample, a statements being made as he’s not wasting a bar throughout this. The retrospective OK, nicely brings the project towards the end as he channels Makavelli for this inspirational number, “I’m really out here tryna change the world one day!”. The EP embodies themes of struggles and adversity and overcoming with a strong sense of spirituality that is bound by the musicality and the outro, Our Father’s Interlude. A very strong message that will undoubtedly resonate with many, serving as the curtain closer, it really emphasises the overall feeling and though brings the EP to an end, actually opens space for what’s next.
It’s been a minute, but we’re finally here and what a re-introduction from one of the West’s chosen ones, a refreshing breeze of artistry and substance, as he continues to evolve. The universe makes no mistakes, through the ups and the downs, the highs and the lows, the wins and the losses, It’s all connected.
ONE Fáris 