By Morgan Martin

Since Bakar’s official debut in 2017, his music has enchanted listeners. After releasing an EP each of the two following years, 2020 was passing without any new content. But just when it started to look like the experimental Londoner would be another artist held in check by 2020, Bakar delivered the goods. Teaming up with fellow English artist Lancy Foux, Bakar released his new single “Play” and accompanied it with a grunge style music video.

Bakar is championing a new wave of musicians who gleefully defy genre. He slips and teases through hip-hop, rap, indie, techno, punk and even a dash of classical. It makes him hard to describe, but easy to enjoy. His new single “Play” features a toned-down beat that heavily incorporates strings. The simple yet smooth production allows Bakar to seamlessly flow through the melody, displaying not only his singing ability but his rapping prowess. Foux’s distinct style and voice add the cherry on top of this genre-bending sundae. 

And If my description makes this track sound like it’s too busy or disorganized, believe me, it isn’t. Bakar’s only musical constant persists within “Play,” his energetic wistfulness.

Bakar is never one to shy away from any instrument. He’ll use anything that helps him convey the feeling he’s shooting for. With his raspy voice and thick Camden accent, he sings like he’s sauntering through life, and by the end of his songs, you can’t help but think you should too.

Like many of Bakar’s songs, “Play” is a message to one of his lovers. Bakar expresses his dedication to his lover and describes his admiration for her and her body. He sings about his frustrations and how he’s tired of her mind games: “I think you're playing thе fool and I ain't playing with you, seasons changing like the faces in my brain.” 

He even name-drops the covid-19 pandemic, teasing that it’s testing their relationship: “Held me down on lockdown.” 

What better test of love is there than quarantine? 

In the end, there is no resolution because this isn’t a song with a full plot. Instead, it’s Bakar attempting to capture a feeling, an emotion, just one single moment to put into song. 

Along with the single came a music video. It’s nothing elaborate, just Bakar and Foux on a late-night drive and vibe through the streets of London. The backdrop of the city is quiet and vague enough to be whatever city in the world the viewer imagines it to be. 

The video has a '90s VHS video vibe to it as they sing into a fish-eye lens doing what young rappers do as colorful light flares and static video effects capture their youthful exuberance. Donning casual clothes and slick jackets they let their model-like looks charm the camera and their fans. The grainy look gives the video a simple yet effective retro feel. A night of fun and carefree living to go along with an overall fun and carefree song.

The 26-year-old from Camden, North London is more of a listen and see for yourself kind of artist. Leaning towards punk rock? Listen to “Dracula.” Prefer a classic road trip indie bop? Check out “Hell and Back.” Maybe looking for a soft acoustic vibe? Try “Ghosts.” Electronic? “BADlands.” And if you’re looking for something that’s a little all of the above? Trust me on “One Way.” The point is that he’s got range and talent. It’s only a matter of time before we hear his music on every station and see it topping every chart.

When you consider the unforeseen stress the pandemic and 2020, in general, have brought us, this laidback track is an escape from reality that tempts us to relax. Releasing it now feels appropriate. With the end of the year drawing near, we’re just a few weeks from bracing for 2021 and we needed another bop to add to our stress-free playlists.

Bakar is also featured on Foux’s new single “POISON,” and there has been no confirmation on an EP release date, but his other single “1st Time” can also be found on his website. Check out “Play” on YouTube.

Morgan is a culture writer for La Tonique.