Perry Maysun has a distinct skill of letting raw emotion smother his music, displaying a knack for pain and passion on his latest effort, “to the dust we shall return.”
“We’ve all risen from the dust in some way,” the track’s coinciding poem reads, discussing the death and “dust cycle” Maysun has evidently accepted as his truth. At times, it sounds as if the 21-year-old New York native is rapping from the perspective of scraped knees, gasping for air and spearheading the harsh realities he’s endured.
“Alternative hip-hop” is a coarse blanket wrapping the true intentions of Maysun’s talent — churning out stories that encapsulate themes of substance abuse, mental health and societal challenges, among other topics. There’s no shortage of these sentiments on “to the dust we shall return,” however, it’s deeper than what’s portrayed at face value.
He contemplates the fine line of blurring spirit and obsession. Coinciding Zionkat’s unique production style, Perry showcases creative versatility and emotional depth beyond his years through an intimate yet brash sense of perspective. “Where one starts and the other begins, I couldn’t tell you,” he writes. “That’s the beauty of swerving in and out of what seems to be a healthy medium and what appears to be self-righteous torture.”
Finding overwhelming refreshing music from off the beaten path is a feat few are familiar with, but Perry Maysun makes finding him — and relating to his message — feel more natural than anything. Touting a catalog filled with 14 projects crafted over the past two years, Perry Maysun is set to make a significant impact in 2024 — “emphasizing self-compassion as he encourages listeners to be their own best friends.”
Make no mistake, Maysun is a hidden gem worth finding again and again.
Listen to “to the dust we shall return” below!