The Packxsz - The Driven EP
We were told the EP was going to die about ten years ago, when the chart regulations forbade more than three tracks or anything longer than twenty minutes. But instead it was the charts that died as the download era truly kicked in, and EPs, like The Packxsz's debut "The Driven EP" are coming out more than ever. Musicians can now instantly release their songs to the public, which is both a gift and a curse. As an artist you get immediate feedback, but as a listener, you often get hit with material that's really not worth it. Back in the good old days, the place was this was the live arena, and if a song bombed, well, a couple of hundred people in Brighton or Haarlem might be pissed off. Now you've got an audience of thousands upon thousands just waiting for a chance to criticise tracks left right and centre.
So all in all, The Packxsz should be relieved to hear that I'm not going to pan his "Driven EP". It's a nice release that sits somewhere between Aim and Arts The Beatdoctor, that suffers only from its short length. It turns out size does matter sometimes after all. The Packxsz makes soulful beats which benefit more from the female vocalists that grace them, rather than the unspectacular MCs that take up most of the space. The exception is "Freeze", which feaures Honest, Rotterdam's self-proclaim finest. He flows nicely over a cultured beat, that The Packxsz's formula of subtle synths and gentle drums works best. It's probably the standout track, along with "That Feeling", a dreamy, sunshine infused track lit up by Myaleah McDaniel's caramel vocals. The problem is that after this, it's over, just as you're getting into the mood.
As a teaser for a future release, or as an announcement of The Packxsz's arrival on the scene, "The Driven EP", does its job well. But as a listening experience, it just comes up short. Maybe reports of the EP's demise were premature.
Download it for free here