Misc. Day – Split Ends

Maxo might come from a place bearing consistent sunshine like Los Angeles, but the LA native on his  2018 project SMILE is anything but the bright and forecasting poet with a promising future.

Instead, SMILE is often confused and found in that in-between space where an argument has occurred and both parties are waiting for the other person to step in and be apologetic. Maxo as a narrator here is a reliable opening with the first musical track, “Same Hoodie Since ’05.”

The production that grants bliss through these drowning and spacious stoned approaches are glossy and gives Maxo this formidable stance to hold upon. Describing on the hook, “Cause I’m a young black boy, victim of the city. Raised with his troubles, raised with the gritty. Out there on the block, juggin’ selling work. He don’t know his worth now he murked.”

This dichotomy that Maxo gives off on much of his music and sound on SMILE is like being depressed and cold in a land of warmth and light. Giving these deliveries that are more broken and seem to be overwhelmed rather than comfortable could relate to someone dwelling in a major city more.

Especially on the track “Gold Man” where instrumentation is like butter to a hot knife. The sampled choir-esque vocals are able to be soulful and truly give Maxo more than just concrete to stand upon. He floats above the production for a moment as this near minute-and-a-half of time is spent reflecting to the growth and style he adopted to through sonic command.

He describes, “My granny said ‘Maxo, boy you special I know it.’ Look in her face, stare blank, eyes low off the potent. My pride glow when I show it, I wear my heart up on my sleeve til I know I’mma fold in.” As the simple click of eighth notes becomes swamped under the incoming use of claps on “Nickel To A Dime,” Maxo fades out into a crawling digression of deconstruction.

Taking “His & Hers” as one of the last tracks of SMILE, the sporadic and ambiguous flow of the instrumentation is like a panic attack in the middle of Manhattan. With sounds all around and no clear direction, Maxo takes the confusion and uses spoken word from a new narrator, illustrating more about the misdirection of relationships and failed partnerships.

But the sun does eventually spring and Maxo delivers a perfected record to slump over to. Between his performance and lack of childishness, SMILE is a bright face hidden behind walls of shattered and clouded emotions.

Listen To SMILE Here!!! – Spotify/Amazon/iTunes