Rapper, actor, and writer ToBy recently released his new daydreamy EP, The Outside. “The outside is the center and all of my stories and creative impulses are catalyzed by its presence,”  inspired by specific locations like, “The rooftop overlooking Port Au Prince, Haiti at my grandma’s house, the deep lush forests and lakes that span the countryside, the lake outside my parents’ house, the beaches that tug at the heartstrings tethering me to my native country.”  With introspective lyrics and a peaceful mood, the EP is a clever and raw project that blends the serenity of nature with the creativity of modern rap and elements of indie lo-fi style.

The EP starts off strong with the Egyptian god-inspired “Osiris,”  which tells the dark tale of the Egyptian god involving murder and betrayal at the hand of his own brother. Inspired by Frank Ocean‘s “Pyramids,” the verses change points of view, and his flow pairs perfectly with the calming piano he sings above. Flowing perfectly into the next track, “New Car”  is an “ode to the unrestrained.”  Touching on themes of modern materialism and the obsession of clout, and discusses themes of freedom and yearning.

“Southside”  follows with the internal struggles those who find success and security deal with after growing up and making it out of dangerous upbringings and complex childhoods.

“Play Out”  stands out from the rest – glorifying fame, sex, and wealth in contrast to the other tracks which critiques those aspects of life. Upbeat with a bass-line you can dance to, and filled with clever wordplay, the track is bound to gain traction and elevate him to the same level as his contemporaries. Its music video was shot and directed by ToBy himself on his iPhone XR in Shibuya, Tokyo – highlighting his drive and passion in being so hands-on in every aspect of this project.

Slowing things down, “Cascades”  echoes the story of the numbness you feel when a relationship is coming to its end. The love will always be there, but the relationship has run its course. With a melancholy guitar gliding against his vocals and the perfect touch of grain, the song hugs you like a warm hoodie on a rainy day.

Closing the EP, ToBy shares his true desires in “Wishes.”  Written and recorded entirely on his 26th birthday, he talks about his doubts, fears, wonders, and worries in facing the reality of human mortality. Speaking on the track, he explains, “Its purpose is to achieve unity through specificity in the hope that my life and my interests resonate with the next artistic soul or creative pundit trapped inside the every man; yearning to escape, yearning to taste life’s cool breath, yearning to finally go outside.”

The EP not only showcases ToBy‘s talent, but it exemplifies his versatility and honesty with clever lyrics and a refreshing new sound. Through his honest and intimate lyrics and his effortless flow, he dives deep into relevant themes and struggles. The project allows him to take listeners along on a journey of self-reflection and self-discovery.

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK