MIDWXST’s

A year after his last EP, midwxst has proven himself as an artist who can only be described as a genre-bending chameleon. Now, he’s taking a shot at storytelling through his music. His new record, E3, is an exploration of love and the world from his unique perspective. We got to hear from him directly about how he grew up in Indianapolis, his personal story, and his creative process. Midwxst, 20, was a social butterfly in high school, getting through years of bullying to feel confident in his own identity. Midwxst said his senior year of high school was the best time of his life. midwxst started like most internet sensations do, right from the confines of his own bedroom. Most of his discography was recorded himself. His main inspiration bands are Green Day, Movements, All American Rejects and Dominic Fike.

He got his first brush with fame during the pandemic, when the world’s eyes were online and our ears were exposed to his catchy, genre-blending beats for the first time. Using Discord to engage with hyperpop artists all over the world, he honed in on his distinctive sound and continues to refine it to perfection. His first show was in Chicago, at Schubas Lounge. He was the first to perform and there were only two people in the crowd, but he “didn’t care about anything other than putting on a show.” It showed him how much love he has for live music.

E3 is a bold yet familiar step forward in his music. The album follows a character– named E3, of course– through a myriad of experiences with love and relationships. It’s a true testament to his growth as both an artist and a person. Much of the inspiration for the story this album shares is drawn from the artist’s own life experiences.

Overlaying electronic melodies and beats over soft piano tunes to create a bouncy, rock inspired sound, “heartache blues” is a definite stand out on the album. It chronicles the after effects of a troubled relationship and the pain of a broken heart. The soft humming in the backing vocals are reminiscent of sirens. It’s almost as if they are calling out for him, sensually trying to draw him in as he tries his best to stay away.

“pretty girls” saw success as one of the lead singles. Mixing hip-hop stylized synth beats with pop-rock influences, it fades off into a velvety, jazz-inspired sax solo highlighted by a heartfelt voicemail that was left on his phone. The lyricism speaks on something we all can relate to– the challenge of extricating oneself from a passionate yet turbulent relationship. Like he said himself, when it rains, it pours.

“s.f.b” is just as catchy as the others and will make you want to get up on your feet. midwxst approaches his lyricism on this track almost as if he is writing a page out of his journal, telling a story about his time with a shawty from Memphis. Denzel Curry lends his talent to a Lil Jon-esque bridge that evokes the spirit of early 2000s party anthems.

E3 presents a more intimate facet of midwxst while simultaneously elevating his work from previous releases. The album retains the bold and experimental elements that his fans love, while showcasing authenticity through a story of love and growth. It’s a piece of work that listeners can both relate and get down to. We can only be excited for what’s next from midwxst. midwxst’s main message to his fans is that any troubles you have, you can make it through. After all, you don’t have a lot of time to take for granted, and pain is a tool that can be used to grow.

BY HAYLIE PAYNE