When speaking with him in June for our OGM exclusive interview, Merlyn Wood expressed how he wanted his solo career to provide “the music that kids need”: “Whether that’s music to study to, music to cry to, music to live to, music to reflect to, I have to supply that.”
Now, with his first release since our conversation with him, Merlyn is sticking to his word. On his new single “ONE OF US” (Sept. 2), we hear one of his rawest and most vulnerable performances of his career, BROCKHAMPTON era included.
The groovy, glossy beat dominated by its rhythmic claps is produced by Lido, who has previously crafted hits like “Angels” by Chance The Rapper and “Charmander” by Aminé. Merlyn rides this beat with impressive command, utilizing numerous different inflections, distortions and flows to convey how he’s a human being outside of being a famous musician.
Family told me I don’t listen, now my family don’t listen up
Honestly, I’m sick of ’em, bigger and I’m bitter now
I’m the richest sinner out
Alone in my room on all the drugs, feel like I’m camping out
“ONE OF US” — Merlyn Wood
With a cutesy, high-pitched “one of us” hook separating his verses, it’s clear that Merlyn wants his listeners to know he struggles with the same issues they do, such as being a “token Black kid” and “fighting the demons that lived in my own reflection.”
Telling us in his interview that he wants to “make something that really sticks with people,” Merlyn is walking the walk on this new track. “ONE OF US” will surely resonate with the youthful fanbase that fell in love with his BROCKHAMPTON persona, as he continues to reveal more layers of himself with each new release.
Check out “ONE OF US” below!