Cansino has teamed up with hector vaé, and DONTLOVEJACOB for one superb collaborative EP, killjoy. Spanning six tracks, killjoy is intimate, providing an personal look into the private 3A.M. thoughts these artists and the burdens they carry.
Opening track “No signal” sets the tone for the project — moody, sensitive, and introspective. “No signal” immediately nods to the title of the EP with lines such as “don’t invite me, I’m the death of the party.” Second track, “Perish” is the lullaby of Killjoy, a conversation with one’s demons in the dead of night, quiet and lingering, but suffocating at the same time.
“Stilllost+Plague” picks up in tempo, but only slightly, as the artists lay out the formula for their pain, the aftermath of despair and their sources.
“I thought that I had my brain, but I went and lost it again/Feel like I’m going insane/ ain’t even start but I’m scared of the end/Money equals pain, life equals death, death equals sadness, forever/ scared of the best, scared of the worst/ demon on me like a sweater”
The fourth track on Killjoy “O: Time” explores the compartmentalization of emotions and thoughts. “O:Time” conjures up images of one’s issues being laid out before them, clear as day, and the paralyzing helplessness to fix them. The productions on “O:Time” are slightly lighter than the tracks before it, providing some much-needed relief, a quick breath, before the listener dives under again.
Killjoy ends with “Hollow-Point,” a darker and heavy track in both production and vocals. “Hollow-Point” features a distorted, twitchy beat and a robust bass that ends the EP on a more energized note, a crescendo of Killjoy. The EP as a whole slightly increases in intensity with each track, as the natural chemistry of vaé, DONTLOVEJACOB, red, and Cansino, grow more and more apparent.
It is clear that the vision for Killjoy is equally and passionately shared by all three artists. The vocalizations are sensitive, emotional, and wraps you tightly in a melancholic dream. The expert productions are intricate and multi-dimensional, layering guitar riffs, piano notes and distorted instrumental effortlessly. Overall, there is an undeniable element of grace present throughout Killjoy that can only come from experience. Submerge yourself into the masterful EP, Killjoy, below.