Baro dropped his debut mixtape, HOWGOODISGOOD? just 12 months ago. Its jazz-infused flow and laidback wordplay garnered him critical acclaim and a finalist position in the Triple J Unearthed High Competition. The upper echelons of experimental hip-hop agree, with Baro supporting Allday, Remi, Illy, Thundamentals, Spit Syndicate, Freddie Gibbs and Badbadnotgood.
Today marks the release of Baro’s debut EP 17/18. The EP is a mature and compelling offering from a young rapper. Baro’s youthful brashness glides on lush jazz hooks, that are reminiscent of generations past. He has this way of reposing on the beat; he leans into the music, sits back and spits out fresh-but-sharp phrases. This warm-with-calm style perfectly compliments the EPs climbing piano chords, whistling brass and crooning vocal collabs.
Talking about some of the songs on his 17/18 Baro explains:
“‘This For You’ is exploring the seclusion of two, pretty much saying nobody else matters but you type thing in the most sensible, mature way. When put amongst the other two ‘love songs’ on my EP ’17/18′ (‘Bears’ and ‘I Never Meant To Hurt U’), ‘This For You’ is the most straightforward one. Bears is all about the juxtaposition of two different females in two different verses and running away into the forest with the other, in the most childish, obdurate way. ‘I Never Meant To Hurt U’ is the downward spiral, wanting that old feeling back, knowing I fucked up and regretting it, but really exaggerated. Produced by my brother Mitch and featuring my brother Mitch.”
Always the gentleman, Baro provided the liner notes for the EP:
The 17/18 Tour begins this month at Splendour in the Grass, on the Red Bull Music Academy stage, followed by dates in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
July 25 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay NSW
July 30 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney NSW (18+)
July 31 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD (18+)
August 1 – Shebeen, Melbourne VIC (18+)
August 8 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA (18+)