Durban-native Evan Hope launches onto the scene with a refreshingly genre-bending debut single and video called “Feel Alive”. I say genre-bending but it’s mostly hip hop, carefully twisted to Hope’s own minimalistic devices as he waxes lyrical on the nuances of life.
Indie muso turned hip hop creative, it’s actually no surprise Hope’s particular take on his chosen genre keeps things so restrained and delicate. A pillowy beat underlies pretty synth textures and Hope’s own lilting half-rapped vocals, as he gets real about taking the bad with the good in life. But despite the slick production and impressive sonic diversity, there’s something that feels a little underdeveloped about the thematic side of things.
The video, directed by Ricky Annandale, sees Hope take to the foothills of the Drakensberg – bounding through fields of horses, dancing on cliff tops and diving into crystalline rock pools. It’s gorgeously cinematic, Hope cutting a sleek figure in a suit and no shirt. The whole thing is awash in a juxtaposition of sonic potential and undulating confidence. It’s a debut that is both resoundingly impressive and somewhat lacking all at once.
But it’s still early days and I have a feeling, going forward, he’s got some great stuff lurking up his sleeve.
Feature pic supplied by artist
