Hollywood native blackbear is known for pop cowrites and collabs, but his solo work is a more introverted affair. He hit the ground running in the streaming era as one of the first "Soundcloud Rappers" to monetize his tracks, but shares a mutual respect with his elders as evidenced by recent collaborations with Cam’ron and Mike Shinoda. ANONYMOUS is a contemporary R&B affair with hiphop flourish and neo-narcissist braggadocio. Mr. bear gouges out a well for his angst and fills it with missed texts, brand names, and autotuned hooks, his new vulnerability on plain display. “SWEAR TO GOD” starts with staccato strings that make way for digitally distorted breakbeats, HIGH1X is a vocal line recorded at the bottom of a well and trap snares. This record is pressed on opaque red colored vinyl and comes packaged in a gatefold sleeve.

• opaque red colored vinyl
• gatefold sleeve and printed inners
• limited edition
• music label: Interscope Records 2019

reviewed by KUMA 06/2019