Infinite Sounds UK: Ways To Stay Broke by Caskie

Ways to Stay Broke

Caskie

EP Review

Ways to Stay Broke is the debut EP from London based emcee, Caskie, who is also part of the Dusty Stragglers group (who have had a couple of EP releases in the last couple of years) and affiliated with Under the Bed Productions. Caskie has something in his repertoire that I’ve not seen in a while, the alter ego, which in this case is Caveman (who we will meet shortly).

So, let’s get into it…

The EP hits straight out the gate with Awakening of a Caveman where get an introduction to Caskie over a laid -back jazzy guitar heavy vibe. This links directly into Sinfool where we treated to the struggle between the two sides of human nature. In this case we have Caskie bringing the more positive intellect and reason, whilst Caveman brings a more negative and self-destructive side. The track has a melodic feel with some laid-back jazzy bass and horn that creates just the right vibe. Up next is the first of the singles lifted from the EP, Victims of Addiction. The beat is heavy but, the guitar brings an almost dreamy vibe with it that is perfect for the track as Caskie takes a look at the ways addiction affects those that fall into that downward spiral to cope with life.

The second single from the EP is 3^rd Eye Shut, a deep message that feels to focus on the internal struggles many face with live and such things as Anxiety, Depression and when you are struggling it is difficult to understand what’s real or even who you can trust and it’s looking for that light, that one thing that can pull you out of the darkness. The track is a superb display of a quick rap style over a more modern trap style vibe while the intro and chorus create a more soulful contrast. Two Wrongs, takes a look at relationships and money. There is a deep look into how people use each other to get what they want and the sad fact that what glitters is not always gold, and two wrongs never make a right. The track retains that jazz soul vibe as the chorus lifts you up from the sad look at the lives of those explored in the track. Every day we walk the path of life there are hurdles, stresses and strains that test us every step of the way and that is exactly what There Ain’t explores over the backdrop of a stunning jazz-hop vibe that has you closing your eyes and drifting off. The EP’s outro is Une Chanson Pour Oncle (French for A Song For Uncle) a jazzy guitar instrumental with an upbeat feel that really brings back to reality and might even leave you feeling that you wished it would be just a little longer…

Overall, the EP might appear to be quite a bleak look at life around us and within, and to a point it is but, there is just enough of the positive vibes through the sound-scapes themselves to keep the balance right. Ways to Stay Broke is no nonsense Hip Hop focused on no nonsense subjects in a time of no nonsense. In fact, reading between the lines might create this dark vision of reality and the society in which we live but, that should also serve as a wakeup call.

Music is one thing that can unite us all, it can allow us to see the good and bad in the world and experience that in a way that is entertaining and does not bring negativity and at the same time has the power to heal us through uplifting visions and feelings, and that is exactly what this EP does, for me anyway…

Caskie does a superb job of all the vocals both rapping and singing. The contrast between his unique wordplay as Caskie or Caveman and the more soulful vibe of those parts that he sings creates this perfect switch from storyline to uplifting vibe which carries those element so well allowing you to feel the light among the darkness.

The seamless production from Under the Bed Productions founder, Peter Coates, creates a perfect rolling sound scape that blends perfectly from one track to the next carrying you along on this Jazz-Hop fueled vibe that creates all the right moods in all the right places taking the listener on a journey in sync with the lyrical delivery.

Ways to Stay Broke is a cracking debut from Caskie and further goes to show the quality of up and coming artist we have here in the UK.

The EP is available to buy or stream from all the usual platforms, links below.

Peace Out,

Steve

LINKS

Get the EP from Bandcamp Here:

https://caskie.bandcamp.com/

On Amazon Music Here:

https://music.amazon.in/artists/B07CVJL952/caskie

Listen on Spotify Here:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/75ZfMuFvJJVDSF1TaGCVcK

Apple Music Here: