“Foolhardy” is a brazen and somewhat happy-go-lucky display on a track. Whitney has his way with not-so-subtle comebacks while being cheeky and playful with lines like “I’m not down with the cosplay/I’ve seen it all, met y’all, most of y’all are just fake/You think a word, just for wordsake, and settle for the third rate.” This is then embellished by his alluring melodic flow that soothes the ear like soft gelatin. The track sets the stage nicely with its grand, soulful and uplifting atmosphere for audiences to settle down. This is then followed by “Baka,” produced by Miles Falkenstein ,who crafts a boisterous anthemic backdrop that will certainly get heads nodding in agreement. The track is an entire vibe on its own and the slow build-up is what gives it the edge to begin with. Once the beat drops and Whitney starts going Baka, all hell breaks loose and caution is thrown to the wind. The next track, “Kitty,” is another headnodding cut with an R&B/summertime feel that sees Wic Whitney in his most flamboyant self. Over the bubbly soundscape comprising lush keys, guitar licks and bass-driven grooves, the rapper effortlessly flaunts his flyness with lines like “I’ve been doing this shit since baby I could make your bed rock/conjure a flow as dirty as Jack Sparrow’s dreadlock/you might get concussions from the head bop when I snuck you a zay wop head shot” right before switching into a smooth melodic run to close the deal. Things even get crazier on the multi-genre track “Bubble Rap” with its hard-hitting trap/edm thump with Whitney going dumb crazy with the lyrical gymnastics.

Foolhardy is more than just a collection of songs but rather a snapshot of Wic Whitney’s life in totality. His views, opinions and takes are his and he owns them with his full chest. The lead single, “Indie Film” is a profound and unfiltered breakdown of the city of L.A and the dream chasers who get swallowed by the city every day. Over a slick guitar-driven Contemporary pop-infused backdrop, Whitney gives a reggae-tinged performance ripe with truth bombs, sharp and witty tales and a sublime melodic style to warm us in. “Pocket” sees the singer embodying his pop star persona, and with the help of producers Trevor Brown and Zaire Williams, he explores the topic of relationships, human connection and the never-ending grind that life bestows on us. His vocal delivery on this is powerful and commanding, but most importantly, the message he is passing must be appreciated. Lines like “The world cannot make promises, it gives me what it wants and lets me go,” underscore the universal concept that life is busy.

The last leg of the project ventures into reflective territory, starting with “Pasithea” a mid-tempo reflective ballad that pairs Whitney and singer emma sheikh, and together they deliver pure gold. The soul-stirring vocal performances, punctuated by layered vocal runs, build-ups and rises, make the track a standout as well. “Full Geish”  continues in a similar vein with Whitney in his own seance and element over a sublime and somewhat trippy backdrop. The final track “Past Life” is a perfect closer with its country guitar licks, solemn textures and soft percussions and Whitney’s bittersweet lyrics about the past and the passage of time while good memories persist through it all. The lines “Mow your grass, check your mail,plant your flowers, you wear it well” help sum it up and leave listeners with a hopeful feeling at the end of the day. Other notable tracks include the insightful “The Breaks,” the upbeat queer anthem “Punky Newster,” the trippy California-beach/pop-inspired “Spend the Time.”

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