By Kierra Bannister

Q, up and coming alt-R&B musician and South Florida native, is solidifying his place as one of the most exciting artists to watch in the next year. The 21-year-old singer, songwriter and instrumentalist recently released his highly anticipated EP, “The Shave Experiment”, a follow up to his 2019 album, “Forest Green”. The EP is laced with ’70s-inspired guitar riffs, funky basslines and classic drum patterns. Combined with Q’s silky vocals, his latest shows just how much he has honed in on evolving his sound and lends itself to a certain level of musical maturity, gaining multiple comparisons to the retro nature of Childish Gambino and Steve Lacy. With just a drum, guitar, and bass, Q has managed to create and compile five unique tracks that come together to bring listeners a highly cohesive project with powerful repeat listening potential.

The Columbia Records signee kicks off the project with “Garage Rooftop”, a perfect introduction that reveals how impactful Q’s stripped-back production is. It’s a minimalist track, much like the rest of the EP, but crescendos with beauty and vigor. Q sings in falsetto about being in a war but having someone by his side. It’s raw, intimate and feels like finding solace in a light at the end of a dark journey. It’s hopeful. Q fills the space where a traditional bridge would live to instead let a guitar solo shine. As it tapers off, it fades into a simple kick drum and bass-line, melting directly into the second track, “Alone”.

“Alone” was released as a standalone single before the EP drop and is one of the project’s most memorable songs. In under 2 and a half minutes, Q manages to wring out a batch of  heart-wrenching and unguarded lyrics that are eerily relatable. The song calls back to moments in life when we’ve all at some point felt defenseless. He touches on finding an emotional connection with someone and recognizing a shared pain of feeling alienated, exposing so much of what so many people have endured this year. Q sings, “I’m alone and I can’t solve it, I need someone to help me”, which serves as a reminder that it is perfectly acceptable to express one’s pain and solitude because it’s a universal experience regardless of who or where you are.

“Take Me Where Your Heart Is” is the third track and lead single off the EP. It’s romantic and swoony, perfect for two-stepping with that special someone. It has the energy of an ’80s coming-of-age movie, even evoking that vibe in the music video, which takes place in an old school bowling alley. TMWYHI is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s even received *multiple* seals of approval from TikTok’s cranberry juice-loving LA skateboarder, Nathan Adopaca aka @doggface208 — just in case you needed any more convincing.

“My Dear Electra” follows and of every track on the EP, it embodies the ’70s influence the most, echoing the timeless, melodic essence of soul and funk kings and queens to round it out. “Shave” is the final track and opens with a spoken word that’s once again an outpouring of emotion. Q openly talks about dealing with voices in his head, trying his best to do what’s expected of him, and simply — crying. As the song progresses, he uses repetition — a tool he also employs on the EP’s other songs, to drive home how transparent and powerful his lyrics can be. 

When Q recently explained to Complex just how he thought of the title “The Shave Experiment”, he says it was inspired by “...shaving off things from the music and from my life even. At the same time, I was experimenting with sounds and I was experimenting with my life in certain ways.” You can definitely feel and connect with Q’s growing pains on this EP, and it’s telling of how life’s ups and downs are maybe more palpable when communicated through song.

Kierra is a culture writer for La Tonique.