Photo by Max Beck
Getting their start in New Orleans, $UICIDEBOY$ have taken the music scene by storm. Over the course of five years, the duo have released a profusion of projects, bringing an undeniably extreme energy to each one. Despite being known for their raw and gritty sound, their latest album, I WANT TO DIE IN NEW ORLEANS can be considered the $UICIDEBOY$’ most polished release yet.
Prelusive track “KING TULIP” is a follow up to “PRINCE TULIP,” a fan favorite off of the early KILL YOURSELF Part IV: The Trill Clinton Saga EP. The clearly distraught voice of G59 photographer and close friend Max Beck opens the highly anticipated album, asking “How did these two motherfuckers, from New Orleans, How did they change, how did they change music?” Following is a faint production, an homage to the 2014 track. As soon as the 808s kick in, an intense verse from RUBY DA CHERRY begins, verbalizing the dissatisfaction of life despite all its luxuries. $crim dives into a verse soon after, speaking about the addiction he faces, then transitions into a refrain about the feeling of loneliness. Throughout “KING TULIP,” fans are riddled with references to early $UICIDEBOY$ tracks and lyrics. The song then cuts to a New Orleans news report and concludes.
Fourth track, “10,000 DEGREES”, provides a dark presence that is almost comforting. Mentions of death and the devil dance off of the pair’s tongues while an upbeat instrumental effortlessly supports them. An obvious reference to the album’s title is made as Ruby repeats “for war, we pray 7th Ward, the grave.”
Next is the emotionally heavy “122 DAYS,” in which the things that set $B apart from everyone around them are mentioned, and the ongoing theme of unhappiness is continued. Going deeper into his emotions, $crim briefly mentions the small issue he had with Ruby; “I just want some happiness, to live a normal life again (ah). Sleep late and do nothing, talk to my cousin, like he actually my cousin.”
Bass heavy and energy filled, “WAR TIME ALL THE TIME” is the album’s 8th track, and immediately captivates listeners. The classic, uncut grittiness of $crim and Ruby is showcased perfectly in this song, reminding us of all the reasons we started listening to their music in the first place. The profound aggressiveness of the song is met with a calm ending, leaving listeners eager to hear more.
Third to last is the album’s most popular track, “CARROLLTON,” which was leaked in July. The two paint themselves as inspiration for “what you punk boys wanna embody,” and mention that if anyone has a problem with what they’re about, they should proceed with caution or move out of the way.
“FUCK THE INDUSTRY” comes with a surprise ending as longtime friend BONES reads a eulogy, mourning the loss of Ruby and $crim; an obvious and clever tie-in to the album title and theme.
“We are gathered here today to remember the lives of Ruby and $crim, also known to many as the $UICIDEBOY$. What they gave to this world while they were here, was unexplainable.”
The last and longest track “I NO LONGER FEAR THE RAZOR GUARDING MY HEEL (IV)” is a collective of three different songs, all of which come with an eerie sound and moody, introspective lyricism. The duo’s pain can be felt through their voices as they finish off their album, and yet although the album is fulfilled, the feeling of emptiness remains for these talented individuals.
The amount of time and effort that was put into this album is clear. The all consuming emotions that the two went through were translated perfectly, and beautifully. The production allowed for smooth transitions, and the incorporation of news reports, ads, commentaries, etc. brought a uniqueness to this project. The essential theme of I WANT TO DIE IN NEW ORLEANS was never broken, and everything that went into the making of this album does not go unnoticed. This project is noticeably different from the things they’ve done before, being calmer and more refined, yet $UICIDEBOY$ never fails to impress us all. Listen I WANT TO DIE IN NEW ORLEANS in it’s entirety down below.