“Bliss” is the sixth album by Syracuse multi-instrumentalist, producer, rapper and singer Evil Key. Following up 2022’s lyrical hip-hop record “Civil Blood”, and 2023’s instrumental album “What Dull Heaven”, “Bliss” closes a sonic and thematic trilogy of sorts. Produced by Evil Key himself alongside Portland, Oregon based producer and friend Pepe Carvalho, “Bliss” is 11 tracks of unique production and thoughtful writing. A must for fans of artists such as Aesop Rock, MF DOOM, Cannibal Ox, and Mac Miller.
The new album will be available for download or pre-order physical copies here:
evilkey.bandcamp.com
It will also be streaming on every major platform and in select stores such as the Sound Garden in downtown Syracuse. Find it in the rap section as well as cross referenced with Evil Key’s other projects Vaporeyes and AMOK.
Evil Key is the solo project by Jonas Reddy-Nicholson, also of AMOK and Vaporeyes.
MF- I feel like these solo projects have really been like a timeline or story of your life these past few years. Do you feel these are personal projects or more abstract?
JN- It’s definitely a bit of both. They are very personal but I certainly want to let anyone in that wants in. One of my favorite things I’ve learned and learned to love as an artist is that you can pour every ounce of yourself into a song, and once you release it, in a sense it’s no longer yours. I’ve connected with people who had their own completely different interpretations of a song. But it still meant a lot. Even if that causes my intent to be misinterpreted sometimes, that’s okay. I’d rather create something interesting to talk about and investing. Some songs are intentionally very clear and some are intentional a bit ambiguous, I guess. In short, they are very personal indeed.
MF- I loved the meme Evan Bujold shared about a rapper that has something to say.
What’s the biggest message you want to share?
JN-I don’t have a particular message, I suppose. If anything I strive for musical honesty, I’ve found great strength in being vulnerable. Across any project, but certainly more so the Evil Key stuff. I’ve never been asked this, but I guess my corny but true answer is: don’t be afraid to be yourself. This is a genre I was raised on, around, and in and I’ve always wanted to give my piece back to it.
Same with my other band, AMOK. I’ve always been the one to hold myself back from trying to make punk music. It was the same with producing and writing hip hop music. The past few years has just been “screw it, who cares.” You just have to do it all with passion and honesty.
MF- I love all that.
Side note I think punk is due for a big comeback.
You know I’m always interested in the imagery and artwork chosen and how it relates to the music. The ”Colors” picture is pretty powerful.
JN- Thanks! The cover for “Colors” was just a picture of some interesting snow and ice formations I took, trying to make it look cavernous. Then I realized how colorless it looked, and did some small editing and added the yellow “Colors” title, sort of teasing the upcoming yellow album.
Every album I’ve put out, at least to me, has its own feel and it’s own color. Green, red, blue for the first trilogy. Now gray, purple, and yellow.
The cover art for “Crossing Over” is kind of just what my brain feels like when I dissociate a bit fitting with the song, being mostly about feeling dead inside but still going.
MF-“Crossing Over” definitely made an impact on me when I got to preview the new album. “Losing my way when I’m open and stronger… Did I live selfishly even though I’m open and stronger… At least we don’t die sober” are haunting and memorable. It’s got a cool beat and deep lyrics. It’s like a thoughtful walk.
My other initial favorites are “Nah” and “Redacted.”
“I don’t forget about it, I take it all with me” – “Nah” feels like the baggage of life experiences that we carry from a troubled youth. It might make someone tough or jaded but bravely honest.
“Redacted” is a whole vibe. It’s upbeat and moves in and out of the chorus in a way that really pulls you in.
JN- Keeping with the themes, this new album “Bliss” closes out this series of images I did with Jessica Montgomery + Stay Fresh studios.
Bliss (2023)
The singles “Colors” and “Crossing Over” are streaming everywhere.
Pre-orders for download and CD albums are now live. Album release date: February 2 2024
Civil Blood (2022)
What Dull Heaven (2023)
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