Live Review: Vallis Alps' David Ansari debuts solo project with hard-hitting rap track 'Not Me' Ft. SOL

When you think of Vallis Alps, you probably think of lush soundscapes, gorgeous indie-pop and heavenly vocals. You probably don't think of acts like Injury Reserve, Willaris. K or Death Grips, but that is set to change thanks to one half of the duo's new solo venture.

davey is the title of David Ansari's new solo project, and he has come straight out of the gate with guns blazing on his first release. Titled 'NOT ME', it's an alt-hip hop track featuring Seattle rapper SOL that features mind-melting, breakneck production, hard hitting bars and a bass line so thick you will have no choice but to surrender to it.

Of the track, davey says that: “The beat for 'NOT ME' came at a weird time; I had just moved to New York, and it felt like I was being reintroduced to the ugliness of America's social dynamics after a few years living outside of the states. All the music I was making was frenetic, unruly, dissonant; I was doing things like distorting entire mixes, stretching audio until it was grainy and unrecognizable, and generally experimenting with sound more than music - but 'NOT ME' felt like a controlled burn, and it needed someone like Sol to take it to the next level. Collaborating with Sol was effortless; we met for the first time over coffee and 45 minutes later he recorded his verses at my studio in 2 takes."

Seattle-rapper Sol shares, "As a west coast kid who grew up on New York hip hop I have to admit it was a powerful feeling recording this record in Brooklyn. I could feel all of my 90's east coast influences surging back up inside me while in the booth.".

Sol added about the track's timeliness, "I first put pen to pad writing the first verse for this song back in the winter of 2018. However, so many of the lyrics only get more and more poignant with the current times we're living in. Usually, timeless lyrics are something we seek as artists, but bars like 'Too many young Black G's screen printed on tees' and 'Don't talk to police, they just kill in the streets' are the type of lyrics I'd love to stop singing."

Industrial, abrasive, forward-thinking and unashamedly all-out, 'NOT ME' is an addictive, hard-hitting track and one that has us on the edge of our seats in anticipation of hearing what else there is for this project. Absolutely begging for a writhing dancefloor and speakers that are up to standard to be blown out completely, this one deserves to be heard loud. It's the first taste of a forthcoming EP, and has raised the bar for alternative hip hop for us. We can't wait to hear more.

'NOT ME (feat. Sol)' by davey is out now, buy/stream it here.

Words by Emma Jones

Image: Supplied

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

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