WILLOW has taken the industry by storm after her switch-up to a fresh punk aesthetic. As her brother Jaden continues to climb the ranks of hip-hop’s experimental echelon, WILLOW too is growing into her own within her punk-rock wave — overtaking her brother in the process.
With over 22 million monthly listeners on Spotify, her collaboration with blink-182’s Travis Barker on “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” initially rooted her transformation — showing listeners that she’s able to fit within any genre seasmlessly. From pop, R&B, indie, hip-hop and now pop-punk, WILLOW’s instantly entrancing voice makes her a force to be reckoned with in any genre. Versatility is her strong suit, yet feels right at home making the music she’s always loved.
Citing Paramore, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy as her biggest inspirations, the “WAIT A MINUTE” singer recruited a generational icon in Kid Cudi for the remix to “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” this past weekend.
While the track is packed with angst-filled vocals, hypnotic guitar licks and calls for honesty or “transparency” within relationships, the Kids See Ghosts artist’s range adds a complementary element to the remix that’s quintessentially Cudi — humming and singing throughout the track’s newly-added acoustic refrain. Speaking on seeing the realness in a significant other, Cudi brings forth a contemplative verse with more depth than words to describe it, seeing “right through your eyes” as he wafts saunters through his verse.
I know you not my enemy and my world just moments
See it through the different minds
Guess I love diminishin’
Girl, come one, you know that I’m tryna make it right
All I want is the real, baby
All you want the same thing, say to me
Try to spare a seat
Don’t wear the mask, I see through your eyes
Kid Cudi — “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l”
Kid Cudi’s impact in 2021 has seemingly reached an all-time high. Releasing the third album to his Man On The Moon trilogy in Dec. 2020, Cudi’s return to form this year has been coupled with a plethora of guest spots on albums for Drake, Kanye West, Pop Smoke, Young Thug, Eminem, Skepta and many others. His vocal prowess on the “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” remix is also reminiscent of his earlier, edgier work compared to his more melodic efforts as of late.
WILLOW’s latest album, lately I feel EVERYTHING, explores her pop-punk influences even further tapping Travis Barker, Avril Lavigne, Tierra Whack, Ayla Tesler-Mabe and Cherry Glazerr as features. Travis makes three appearances throughout the record, attaching his stylistic expertise to the production of the 11-track project.
While WILLOW continues to bolster her edgy, punk sound, don’t expect her to stay solely within this wave. Regarded for her eclecticness, WILLOW seemingly takes up what she wants when she wants, as the 20-year-old savant is a willow tree working to grow bigger than ever before.
Listen to Willow’s ‘lately I feel EVERYTHING’ below!
