It’s been fun to watch Minneapolis-based rapper Vision the Kid (Jordan Sandvig) expand his sound over the years; 2014’s “Devil” touted a polished radio-ready sound with straightforward appeal, but last year’s “Side A/Side B” mixtape showed a stylistic expansion that marked the rapper’s next step. The stylistic maneuvers on “Side A” specifically were impressive – like at 03:28, when an energetic hip-hop delivery shifts to a suave and mellow piece of R&B, with this followed by a take on soulful funk before returning to more energetic hip-hop. “Side A” was one of my favorite hip-hop tracks from the year in general, so I was pumped to hear that Vision the Kid had a new release out already this year.
Fly by Night is Vision the Kid’s new project with his once-high school producer DJ Crab Rangoons (Peter Netzel). It marks yet another step forward, with the highly impressive “Fly By Night Moves” showing why; synth twinkles lead spacey verses through Vision’s forceful flow, before he restrains his vocal lead for the excellent chorus – a smoothed-down nocturnal R&B trip that aptly fits the track title in feel and atmosphere. The bustling verses and laid-back choruses provide a striking contrast for this dazzling track.
Stream the project’s other six tracks below:
