Taking inspiration from Thaddeus’ Logan book Hey Cabbie, Frankie & Estelle is a narrative-rich, stylishly bass-driven EP from Hyporadar. The Sabattus, Maine-based artist describes the concept release as telling “the story from both points of views of the characters.” The book, which tells collections of stories from a Baltimore-based cab driver, prompted Hyporadar to craft his “own story of a cab driver and his experience with a local waitress.”
“Hey Cabbie” opens the EP with a crawling bass momentum and debonair vocal prowess, complemented by reflective pulses and pit-pattering percussion across the second half. The subsequent “Frankie Sullivan” depicts its titular protagonist as a “cab driver,” showcasing a consistent thematic pull and rhythm-led sound. This strong commencing one-two punch both excel in their swelling structure, satisfying with a second half that upticks the rhythmic intensity following the intriguingly spacious lyrical narrative.
“Tell me where you wanna go, Estelle,” the following track, “Estelle,” asks. Visions of Estelle’s lofty Hollywood ambitions, whilst currently waiting tables, enamors into the “everybody’s looking for Estelle,” entrancement. “Grifter” continues those late-night haunts, emitting a “she’s a grifter, and she’s comin’ around,” foreboding as a steady bass emanates. “Keep the Meter Running” closes the EP, resembling a swinging jazz bass line alongside the “no matter what I do, they say ‘hey cabbie,'” remarking — capping off the EP in atmospheric form as police sirens wail into the dead of night.
—
“Frankie Sullivan” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
