We met SQWD back in the Fall of 2020 and his unique style caught my attention immediately. The way he incorporates so many different influences into his music is impressive to say the least.
Though not his debut, his single “On the Off Chance You Love Me” featuring CARLIE proved that he was more than capable of producing a legitimate pop song. It has gone on to gain nearly 20K streams on Spotify.
After several more albums throughout 2020, SQWD dropped Before I Crashed Down in 2021. The record is so cohesive and so enjoyable, it (spoiler alert) landed on my Albums of the Year list.
His most recent release is his strongest yet. Organica is a 22 minute piece of art. There is an accompanying visualizer that brings the whole project together. When I asked him if it would be released as an EP or just one long track, he replied “The project isn’t an album or an EP, it’s kind of a “screw you” to the Spotify algorithm.”
As I said to SQWD privately, I feel like Organica is his magnum opus. This project truly encompasses him as an artist and shows off so much of his unique flavor at once.
The visual component of this release made me (and the YouTube comment section) think about how amazing they would look during a live show. With live events coming back quickly, hopefully we can find out soon. SQWD will fit right in in the festival circuit and I think we’ll be seeing him on line ups sooner rather than later.
SQWD’s strongest asset is his unparalleled sound design. I’m sure I’ve made this comparison before, but it reminds me a lot of Amon Tobin. The precise attention to detail, every drop perfectly placed, every sound with a purpose. Organica is no doubt his most experimental project, and in my opinion it paid off in a big way. A 22 minute song may seem excessive, but each minute is needed to lead you on an unforgettable sonic journey.
FOLLOW SQWD
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE
BANDCAMP
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
SOUNDCLOUD
TWITCH
PATREON