Ikigai EP - Phinoshey Questions 'Being' And Self
Ikigai is a Japanese word that means 'to be'. It is a philosophy that speaks to existence, essence, and the concept of self. Phinoshey takes on this abstract and complicated question and shares some thoughts on it. Like a philosopher, the artist ends up giving sentiments that are cyclic and contradictory. And though this seems counter-productive on the part of the EPs writer, it is in fact a form of genius many artists try to achieve but fail to. Phinoshey however, possess the gift; being able to connect the dots that are seemingly unrelated concepts
He starts the project with I AM, where he calls himself a 'hero with no soul' on the chorus. He mentions African political heroes like Nelson Mandela,Thomas Sankara and Kenyan freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi. He likens himself to these icons and says that his music can change his country and society as these heroes did. Seeing himself as a hero with a cause helps him define himself. Fighting for freedom, leading and speaking up, and speaking the truth are some of the values he lives by.
Mojo and Love Story, talk about romantic love and how the rapper experiences it. On Mojo, he is lost within love, comparing it to a trap that he doesn't know how to get out of. Over guitar inspired melodies, he delivers an energetic song with varying cadences. The beat’s rhythm switches for the hook, and is differentiated for each of the verses. Love Story begins with a jazzy trumpet that sets the pace for a slow tempo but ear captivating beat. The rapper gives a melodious hook and goes on to give a braggadocious account of his reputation in his city. The song doubles in meaning: addressing regular love between humans as well the attention a rapper has for his craft. He serenades a lover by telling of his intentions.
On Good Feels, the 2021 UnKut Hiphop Awards Alternative Artist of the Year nominee talks about overcoming mental disorders. An!les starts off the song with rich vocals that captivate the listener. Swinging between a high soprano and a sultry alto, she introduces the theme; contrasting life when lived with bad vibes versus another lived with good vibes. Phinoshey comes in with energy, spelling out hope for everyone who is going through tough times. He utilized word play, onomatopoeia and internal rhyming to make the verses on the song a delight. Fall is delivered on a lo-fi beat, a sub-genre most fans associate with the rapper. On the hook, he admits he is trying to get 'this thing called life' right. As the Tyler, the Creator inspired beat progresses, so does its energy, which Phonoshey capitalizes on by delivering solid bars.
Guns and Roses closes the project in spectacular fashion.On a jazzy bounce beat, Phinoshey presents a Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde persona that discusses human behavior on black and white terms. The hook states that roses are for heroes while guns are for villains. As the song goes on, we are shown an artist that is chasing fame, worldly acceptance and a posh lifestyle in a way that mimics a drug addiction. Addressing a villain who is also himself, using third person language, he talks of the camouflage that one has to practice in a society where few dare to go against the grain. He admits to being a brooder , an overthinker, one who contemplated suicide and an escapist,the non glamourous side of him. He switches the storytelling style from a first person narrator to third person narrator for this part. He drowns himself in a pool of roses as a hero would ,but instead ends up feeling frightened, scared and freaked out to a point where he questions if he should be anyone's keeper. His verse ends with the admission that the roses fell off the tree and he has to accept that life is not as rosy.
This project is a buffet with a diverse menu for listeners as compared to previous ones.The beat selection and cadences present a funky energy we've not readily seen in the past. The production standards alone certainly qualify the EP as an improvement from his last offering. Phinoshey has kept an alternative approach to making music, sticking to his essence while trying to find himself. His lyricism feels a bit rough around the edges and I would love to see him improve in that department. All in all ,it is a good project that leaves you asking, as Phinoshey does , Ikigai? What am I,Who am I? What do I stand for?
