Illy Releases New Single: ‘The Best, Most Artistic Music Of My Career’

Aussie hip hop favourite Illy dropped off the map for a little following the release of Two Degrees, but it was a calculated move and one that’s paid off big time, as evident with new single Then What.

The Melbourne artist dropped the tune today, teasing a new sound and exciting things from his next LP.

"I've been getting really antsy," Illy said. "This is the longest time I've been away. I was going nuts for a while.”

The song sees him reflect on life after the success of Two Degrees.

"The last album was the biggest thing in my career. You're put into more situations, you're meeting more people, it's all part of it, it's not a bad thing, but it's funny sometimes to stop and zoom out and realise what's going on,” he said.

“You know if you weren't in this position we wouldn't be having this conversation. I just wanted to write a funny song addressing the weirdness of it all. I've had friends who've had similar things happen on larger scales than me. It's just something that you notice - those cliches about people coming up to you when the times are good is true, it's not made up."

Written alongside Swedish duo LIAS and Priest and longterm collaborator M-Phazes, Then What is one of many songs Illy has penned in recent years, and he’s currently in the process of picking the best ones to appear on the next album.

"I don't think I'll ever go away again like this for the rest of my career,” he said.

“To be at this point and be making what I think is the best, most artistic music of my career is very fortunate. I've worked hard for it, but I'm aware I’m in a pretty rare spot. I don't intend on fucking it up."