Uprising Chinese-American rapper/producer Andrew Wells who first started producing and releasing his beats at the age of 14 via SoundCloud and Youtube. He released his debut mixtape Thank God I’m Here, in 2022 and is slowly building his reputation in the Chinese rap scene. His latest release HORIZONS, is his debut album and shows Andrews’ growth as a young artist making his bones in the industry. The record covers a wide range of topics from self-growth, childhood trauma, love, loyalty and the allure of success amongst other relatable subject matter.

“MR WORLDWIDE INTRO” is the opening track and it’s a solemn exotic piece made up of sublime and dreamy pads and strings that welcomes listeners into Andrew’s world. This is followed by the anthemic “FAMILY MAN” with its triumphant horns and cinematic synths. As the title suggests, it dives into the rapper’s life and the many struggles he faced from being a young man to being a family man himself. He shares his pain and pours his heart out with lines like “Humble-minded, that’s just how they raised me/Looking back on all the mistakes for 180/Used to be the reason why I hate me/I’m just praying that y’all forgive me now”. In ‘330”, Andrew reminisces on the past and the journey of self-discovery where every life event shaped him and made him realize that this world is fleeting. “WHAT IF” is a sombre love tune that showcases Andrew’s vocal range as he delivers heartfelt lines with pained emotive melodic runs and lines like“Downtime is my favourite time, reminiscing on your lips/Let me put it in the right time, showed you love in the prime I guess” and he ties it up with an unapologetic rap verse where he details all the things that went wrong in his past relationship and how he is prepared to right his wrongs.

“FELICIA” continues the love theme and Andrew is in a lovelorn mood as he muses on a certain lady who he wants in his life but then life happened and things didn’t turn out how he planned it. “HEADS TURNED” is a solemn piano-driven piece that dives into the concept of friendship and loyalty. Bolstered by the moody and melancholic soundscape, Andrew pours his frustrations on wax and realizes that he is all alone in this cold world where no one is trustworthy anymore. “2 WAYS”  is a dance-infused sombre track that blends bravado rapping with a touch of reflection from Andrew and featured rapper Oliver Walker. Andrew opens it up with lines like “Breaded up in that 2 tone even though you know a bitch is two face/Spreading hate, somebody should have told you your word always go two ways/Throw my trust out the window how bakery reach brute cake/Set for you for a while but for me it’s kick push like Lupe” while Oliver Walker wraps it up with “No religion so you know they lying even with their hand on the bible/Haven’t seen my cousin in a minute but they still see me as an idol/Peeking through no eye hole/Tower over you rappers like Eiffel” which dives into his life as an artist. “THE PAYBACK” sees Andrew teaming up with Quiohte for a solemn and introspective track. The production is moody and makes use of downtempo grooves and melancholic textures all underpinned by the rapper’s evocative raps about changing friendships and staying true to one’s core.

This is followed by the drumless soulful “LUCKY” where Andrew reflects on his journey thus far and the ups and downs that come with chasing one’s dreams. He knows he is on this journey alone and is ready to accept whatever comes with it. “KNOCKED OUT” has a lush texture and punchy drum groove and continues Andrew’s vivid storytelling while “JUNGLE” talks about taking chances and making moves in an uncertain world. The project closes out with “BELLEROPHON” and “BOUNDARIES” featuring Statz. The former breaks down Andrew’s rising trajectory and the effects it has had on his family while the latter looks into how boundaries can be pushed in good and bad ways but for the most part, Andrew and Statz implore us to stay stoic and not give in to external pressures no matter how hard it is.

With a 38-minute long running time and 13 tracks including an instrumental intro, HORIZONS, is cohesive and gives listeners more than a glimpse into what makes Andrew Wells different. He doesn’t shy away from being vulnerable and candid but at the same time, he reminds us that he is not a pushover and he is fully focused on his goals.

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