If there was a Mount Rushmore of artists who I credit with getting me into the underground music scene and diversifying my taste throughout the various subgenres of music that exist, lil aaron is undeniably on there. Literally about a half-decade ago, when I heard his song “Drugs”, I was transported to another world and my mind was absolutely blown. It just brought me back to a more nostalgic time in my life when I was listening to punk rock and skateboarding with my friends, but it also included some hip-hop elements that was what I was pretty much strictly into at that current moment in time as well, so seeing the two genres mashed together was mind-boggling, to say the least.
Ever since, I have been a fan for life, so whenever he releases a new song, whether he’s sampling an old-school instrumental or making something completely original, so you can only imagine my excitement when he released his latest EP entitled YEAR OF THE DOG. With 5 songs that span a little over 13 minutes long, I didn’t know exactly what to expect other than the fact that I knew I was in for a treat. Opening up with “PSA”, aaron lays it all out on the table right off the bat. Although it’s the shortest song on the project, he uses a simplistic acoustic-driven instrumental without basically any vocal effects in order to get his frustrations and qualms out on the table right off the bat.
Next up is “I JUST REMEMBERED I HATE YOU”, another offering that begins fairly tame and calm before heavier guitar chords and more lively drums elevate the energy, which aaron matches with his delivery. At the halfway point, we arrive at “BURNT” which also includes the first feature in Goody Grace. While aaron really shows his enthusiasm and passion in the hook, Goody Grace shows off a much more familiar, punk rock-inspired angsty sound that complements aaron’s sound perfectly.
The penultimate song is called “PRETTY LITTLE BREAKDOWN” and features aaron’s close friend and frequent collaborator Smrtdeath, so you know we were in for a treat before even pressing play on this one. While the guitars are energetic, the tempo is a bit slower so aaron uses this as a catapult to truly elevate his vigor and show off his personality perfectly, as well as deliver a hook that is going to get lodged in your brain for the rest of the day, if not longer, before Smrtdeath comes in for another unforgettable verse as well. Finally, things are rounded off with the EP’s one single “THAT ONE SONG” with LiL Lotus that I covered a couple of months ago when it was first released, so you can check that out here.
All in all, lil aaron proves once again with this EP that he’s an all-out legend in the underground, and that’s never going to change. He’s just unapologetically himself, and his music just brings me, and so many other fans, back to another part of our lives in a perfectly sentimental way. I also truly enjoyed how the first two songs aaron omitted any features so he could get the show on a roll individually before adding in the three super talented and amazing features that definitely brought this EP to new heights. Whether you’ve been a massive fan of lil aaron for years, as I have, or this is somehow your first introduction, you need to put listening to YEAR OF THE DOG on your list of priorities, so you don’t miss out on another amazing project from lil aaron.