[junkie-dropcap]T[/junkie-dropcap]he year Twenty-Twenty was one hell of a year, many of us had to transition and normalize a lot of new things. We lost a lot; we learned even more and required a moment to grasp these changes. It’s through these loses and sessions of seclusion where we all learned a little more about ourselves. Music saved us and gave us the much needed warmth it often provides. Yet music can be a keen reminder of the inhospitable worlds some of us live in. DON DR3 captures the essence of the colder, darker, and brittle sides of Brooklyn.
His latest offering “Here Today Gone Today” is a reminder of the fragility of life and how important the moments we spend with those we consider loved ones ought to be cherished while the ability to cherish them is still within our grasps. The project starts off with exactly how the project feels with the cut “Cold World” which features collaborator Banga. Leaving little room for interpritation, the sonic signature of the record gives way to masterful autotune usage. Giving the track a gritty and choatic texture, softened only by the guitar-centric instrumentation found throughout the production. The contrast is kin to a salty and sweet palette that in theory shouldn’t work yet does.
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The following track “Letter To Myself” break the mold as the track starts by paying homage to a lost family member Wes aka “Hop”. The record serves as a reminder or a letter of caution per say. Watch for the potholes and avoid disingenuous intentions. Understanding that not all assemblies are beneficial and opportunistic tendencies cause more trouble than they’re worth. The cut “Snakes In The Grass” could easily serve as the successor to the aforementioned track. As Dr3 doubles up on the warnings. These two songs serve as gems.
Yet the two standout records hold weight at the latter half of the project. As Young & Dangerous takes off, it gives pure Houston Texas vibes with New York stylistics. You’ll hear New York police sirens and stormy sonic elements that give the song a sinister multi-dimensional viewpoint. Showcasing the stellar sequencing perceptions of DON DR3. He’s not just rapping, he’s telling a story utilizing effects, sound scapes and emotions to display the big picture.
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While Young & Dangerous tell you a portion. DON leaves the heavy lifting to the soulfully produced title track “Here Today Gone Today”. The record gives you an internal viewpoint of where DON DR3 is currently in his career. From family, friendships, relationships, dealing with loss and the internal struggles of transitioning during the hardest year we’ve all had to face.
While this may only be an EP, the concept and execution serve as a full circle interest. It’s a finely crafted project with more to offer than first perceived. Damaged goods turn to damaged greats and while he may not be a household name just yet, DON DRE 3 is no exception. You can listen to “Here Today Gone Today” here. We’re looking forward to more music from the Brooklyn native but for now we have a lot to take in with this offering.
