Nathaniel Clark 

Contributing Writer

nuc5002@psu.edu 

Acting as a complete surprise to their fans, Drain Gang affiliates Bladee and Ecco2k released their collaborative album Crest on March 17th under YEAR001. This is not the first time these musicians have collaborated, having released various singles throughout the years. One of these previous collaborations is “Amygdala” which was released earlier this year and became a semi-popular sound on TikTok. On the production side, the album was produced by Whitearmor, another Drain Gang affiliate who has been working with Bladee since 2012. 

Interestingly, Crest acts as another piece of the continuing artistic evolution of both of the artists involved. The album features Drain Gang’s classic cloud rap production style with elements of synth and art-pop. While these elements may seem like weird additions, both Bladee and Ecco2k have been involving that sound in their music for a while now. With nine songs lasting just half an hour in total, the two performers make the most of this brevity. Trading off verses and harmonizing on hooks, Bladee and Ecco2k craft a project made perfect for relistening. 

The album opens with “The Flag is Raised,” introducing us to the overall sound of the project and showing the amazing capabilities of these two musicians once again. The most significant song in the project’s runtime is “5 Star Crest,” a nine-minute epic that builds in fantastical and flawless atmospheric progressions which shift in shape over every passing second. Like a flower, “White Meadow” unfurls in an absolutely beautiful fashion with great movement and Ecco2K’s beautiful harmonies. While “Yeses” carries a similar repetition as previous Bladee and Ecco2K singles, it works as well as in those previous tracks. 

One of the most interesting songs on the whole project is “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” While not being a cover of the Cyndi Lauper classic, the song was originally released as a single in 2020. With an upbeat and melodic tone similar to the rest of the project, the two musicians harmonize about the yearnings and struggles in their respective lives. At a point, Ecco2K discusses his conflicting desire to both be wanted and forgotten, a staple of Drain Gang. 

To conclude, Crest acts as a perfect fulfillment of everything which Bladee and Ecco2K have created together. With its uplifting sound and angelic feel, Crest is something that I see myself returning to throughout the rest of this hectic year.