Louie XO is a creative, multi-talented, and innovative artist with awesome hooks, great beats, and music you can vibe out to, listen to intently, or just chill with in the background. Not many artists can pull off all that, but Louie XO is like a jack of all trades AND master of all. Everything from the music to the artwork is top-notch. I just recently discovered him, but his work is already blowing me away. Folks, we might be looking at my favorite EP of the year so far. I had so much fun listening to this release, so let’s dive in and take a closer look.
The EP kicks off with “Murakami Origami,” a track that sets the tone with a rollercoaster of highs and lows. We start off with this funky, almost otherworldly vibe—maybe a synth?—that wraps around a cool beat. But you will need to get ready for this because it might catch you off guard, because the vocals are where things really get interesting. The rapping explodes out of the speakers, hitting an 11 on the intensity scale, then suddenly drops into these quick, unexpected pauses before launching back into full throttle. It’s a wild ride.
What blows me away is how the vocals themselves become another instrument in the mix. He shifts his tone and cadence constantly, emphasizing different words and syllables in ways that make you think, why has no one else tried this? It’s hard to say if it’s intentional, but damn, it’s effective.
The track seems to be about letting loose about his unwavering self-belief, his rise above the haters, and his unapologetic swagger. He’s got his eyes on the prize, and he’s not letting anything or anyone stand in his way. I don’t know. To me it kinda feels like a statement, a middle finger to the doubters. Great track, nice opener.
“Rainbow Road” wastes absolutely zero time diving into the thick of things. It’s like hitting unpause on a game and jumping right back into the action, until you picking up where someone else left off, hoping that blue shell does not come for it.. A great beat and slick arrangement that will grab you, while a touch of funk adds a playful twist.
Then, right in the middle, there’s this awesome 8-bit breakdown that throws you back to the classic gaming era. As a fellow Mario Kart fan, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the “Rainbow Road” reference as much as I do. It’s a love letter to gaming culture and another standout track on this unique and cool EP.
It’s a flex track through and through. He’s letting us know he’s all about the money and the good times. He’s got the ladies flocking to him, living the high life, and dropping gaming references like it’s second nature. I mean he’s got his priorities straight, and he’s moving forward with his eyes on the prize.
“Invincible / UP” hits you with a sample that you’ll probably recognize, or at least feel like you do. If you’re like me, you’re gonna be racking your brain trying to figure out exactly what it is or where it’s from. I absolutely adore how Louie XO uses all these little samples in such a unique and cool way. It’s kind of rare that an artist can get me to totally chill out and vibe to a track, nodding my head along with this big, goofy smile on my face, but this EP does it. This is a fun EP. It’s just fun and I love it.
This song is is a power-up in musical form. Louie XO isn’t just leveling up, he’s straight-up grabbing a star and going invincible. This track is dripping with confidence, a real fu to anyone who doubts him. He’s got the cash, the cars, the girls—basically all the coins and power-ups you could want in this game of life. He’s not just playing, he’s dominating.
The EP closes out with “Philly Playground,” a track that immediately evokes a different kind of nostalgia than the Fresh Prince—this playground’s got its own rules. The arrangements and flow on this one are top-notch, setting it apart from the rest of the EP while still fitting seamlessly into the overall vibe. It’s got its own unique flavor, a standout track with a beat and instrumentation that just hits right. Another quick hitter that leaves you wanting more.
“Philly Playground” is a gritty yet playful ode to street life and the hustle, and I mean I wouldn’t exactly call this a concept EP, but there are a lot of nice little connections here I think on this release. Honestly, this is easily one of my favorite EPs of the year, and I think it might even be my absolute favorite so far. If I’m not mistaken, this was just released in April 2024, which means Louie XO is coming in with some seriously fresh sounds.
Gotta give it up to Louie XO – this EP had me vibing out, head bobbing, and grinning like an idiot. It’s just pure fun, and that’s something you don’t hear a lot these days in music that’s actually worth listening to.
What’s really impressive is how Louie XO manages to make seriously great, meaningful music without taking himself too seriously on this EP. He walks that tightrope perfectly, balancing catchy hooks and playful lyrics with deeper themes and emotions.
I’m gonna say it again: this is hands down my favorite EP of the year, across any genre. If you haven’t discovered his work yet, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
