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EP REVIEW: Midas.Gold, “For What It’s Worth”

It’s hard to question the raw energy that Brisbane’s Midas.Gold has brought over the last 12 months. Since first coming to our attention back in November last year with his explosive single 000000, the USA born emcee has simply been releasing tune after tune, with the latest being the triple j Unearthed winning Work It Out. Now, as he prepares to embark on a national tour alongside Australian heavyweights Tkay Maidza and Sable, the time has finally come for the emcee to drop his debut EP, For What It’s Worth.

A culmination of his three past single releases and three new releases, the six track project packs a serious punch. Backed by a unit of Brisbane’s best, from James Angus (Jangus), branded as “Australia’s answer to Metro Boomin,” to labelmate Gallus and producers Noah Harvey (HARVEY) and Blair Burcher, the heat-making dream team delivered the goods.

Opening with Casket Pt.1, this is an epic teaser for what’s to come in the next twenty minutes. Armed with bellowing 808s, marching percussions and Midas’ signature auto-tune flare, not only does it build the hype, but it sets the scene for the EP’s key theme: money.

Building upon this concept is the aptly titled $$$. Opening with a shivering series of chimes, it doesn’t take long for this to flip into a head churning banger. Referencing his debut single with the line “six zeros in a duffle bag,” Midas flexes his uniquely melodic flow, showcasing his talent for catchy verses. It’s aggressive, raw and energetic to say the least, a combination which only serves to pull you deeper into the project.

Following the brilliantly cinematic opening tease, Casket, Pt.2 follows, with lyrics about riches booming out atop a deathly beat. The addictive line “hundred dollar bills in my casket” is one hell of an earworm line.

As if it couldn’t get any better, 000000 comes through with its blend of bravado, bass and bars. Forcing you to crank the volume to an all-new high, the anthem perfectly demonstrates Midas’ diversity, from intoxicating verses, to the powerful “Block by Block!” hook.

The biggest change of pace in terms of instrumentation comes from recently released single Work It Out. While it still matches the other dark, bold beats, it nevertheless offers something lighter, with its harmonious keys, and the brutally contrasting stabs of the horn. While Midas.Gold still talks about grinding, his flow and sound feels totally different, showing off a different side to the upcoming artist.

The title track is saved for last, the first verse really showing yet another different side of Midas. Opening up about his modest upbringing, we see him from a more intimate angle, having pulled back the veil and sharing his journey. We learn about his feelings and experiences, stumbling to find his identity as an artist, with the track progressively evolving over four minutes. As Midas’ delivery gets more energetic, the beat follows, developing at its peak into a hi-hat rattling, synth-roaring banger, leaving us shell-shocked to say the least.

Overall, while the project may only be six tracks deep, Midas.Gold has delivered something that stands out amongst his peers. No one is really doing it quite like this, certainly nobody local. Sure, you can compare him to Travis Scott and his collaborators to Metro Boomin, but at the end of the day it’s a one dimensional comparison. What he lacks in lyricism and wordplay, he makes up for in bold delivery, rhythmic hooks and utterly neck-shattering beats. It’ll be really interesting to see how he progresses throughout his next few projects, but for now, he’s one of the country’s most promising newcomers.

Catch Midas.Gold supporting Tkay Maidza on Tour:

Thursday 3 November – The Triffid, Brisbane (Licensed, all ages)
Friday 4 November – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Saturday 5 November – Metropolis, Perth
Thursday 10 November – The Metro, Sydney (Licensed, all ages)
Friday 18 November – HQ, Adelaide (Licensed, all ages)
Saturday 19 November – Uni Bar, Hobart

Grab your tickets here.

Image: Brayden Doig