The Sound Of What’s Next: Liim Laselle
Discovering new music sometimes feels like a breath of fresh air; something unique in an era where much of music blends together. Liim Laselle is turning into exactly that; with only a handful of singles and an EP, he put out his first project, Liim Laselle Loves You, four months ago and let the world get a proper taste of the genre-blending music that is Liim.
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Liim was set aside from music for an early part of his life, though it would be the very thing to shape his music taste and sound. In an interview for Dazed magazine, Liim attributed his Muslim childhood to his listening experiences.
“I always go back to the fact that I grew up Muslim, so, in my household, there wasn’t any music being played. Once I was sentient enough to start looking for music on my own, I was finding unique stuff that was not good at all by any means, but different,” said Liim.
This exclusion from what could be considered mainstream music can also be heard in Liim’s music. In tracks like Le Pouvoir Noir from his EP, a different approach is taken which is heard nowhere else in the album: a transition to French.
Though this is far from unordinary. The album at times feels personal, and it is. Liim’s music comes from his experiences, and can be heard in many songs such as the intro track, Radio Advice, where the radio is inspired from car rides with his dad, or Mezcal which comes from Liim trying a mezcal mule for the first time while at a Clairo concert.
According to Liim in a Hypebeast article, “I end up in a lot of situations that inspire me, and I try to not let it fuel my music too much, but it does,” and this is what happened with Liim Laselle Loves You, where it was recorded as he went through a break-up. This leaves the album almost entirely based on love.
“I wanted to be like a movie that isn’t necessarily story based completely, but it all has to do with the same plot. It has to do with love.” says Liim in a Rolling Stone article.
A big part in achieving this feeling is through the lyrics, which Liim excels in. As someone who writes from experience and inspiration, it’s important to be able to convey that image in someone’s head. Sophomore Marnin Castor also praised Liim’s lyrical abilities, comparing him to the likes of J. Cole.
“It was the way he flows, the way he spoke, you could hear the tone of J. Cole in his rap, he has more of a lyrical breakdown in his wordplay,” said Marnin. To Marnin, this attribute is also what could help Liim get more listens along with a greater development into his own sound.
“If he gets into more of that side [lyricism] and tries to contribute more of his rap in his songs, I feel like when he releases more albums, he could get there,” he added.
Lyricism is something that Liim has been able to show in his songs, but it hasn’t been the focus. According to Liim, most of his songs were created off the top of his head with only a select few being written, but it’s not something he wants to continue. In the same Hyperbeast article, Liim says “I do want to get back into writing and strengthen my pen again. It’s a lost art.”
“Production wise and sound wise, he definitely sounds like Tyler, The Creator. I think if they made a song together, it would be fire,” said sophomore Jeremiah Irizarry.
Ironically, Tyler, The Creator has also praised Liim, even before the release of his album. “I don’t want to compare him, but it’s like Max B. over stereolab chords, but like you could tell he be with dirty skaters, so it’s really cool,” said Tyler in a Zane Lowe interview.
Another recognizable artist who has also co-signed Liim is Joey Bad-$$. When asked who he wouldn’t mind working with in The Bootleg Kev Podcast he simply said, “I just got put on to him, so he’s at the top of my mind right now when you ask me that question, but I think he’s dope. I think he’s incredibly talented, I would love to work with him.”
In terms of potential, it’s clear that Liim Laselle offers a lot. Dropping an album was just the first step and for fans of Liim, it gives way for a new voice in this decade.
