The kids from Kansas are back! Bringing with them the same shiny Y2K aesthetic and sound “Sex Appeal” is the leading single to the group’s newest project: CYBERKISS, a project following a few years signed with Dirty Hit Records, and delivers a new flavor that keeps the formula as strong as ever.
After dropping a project (or two) every year, you’d think the group’s sound would start sounding a little stale. This latest release showcases the same BLACKSTARKIDS with their y2k aesthetics and gen z energy, with an added spice that’s pointing to a very positive new direction.
BLACKSTARKIDS is a trio, with every member respectively adding their own flavor to the group while never outshining the other. Every member of the trio has their moment to shine, but leading lady, The Babe Gabe demonstrates a stern ferocity in her rapping and hook in the chorus. Deondre and Ty Faizon equally play their parts well providing witty bars and a versatile hook.
A quality to BSK’s music that’s always made it so fun and enjoyable to listen to is the group’s love of early 2000s pop culture.
From almost every project they’ve released since 2019, there’s been some sort of connection to the social pop culture zeitgeist.
The same pop culture references that have been endowed with the BlackStarKids brand are more present than ever.
Whether it’s songs named after Frankie Munez or Brittany spears or clever verses referencing Tarantino movies, the group is dedicated to showing love to their interests.
“SEX APPEAL” is no different.
Some notable lines that work well in the song’s favor are “I’m like Jonah Hill, I’m super bad” and “Stay glossy, Kelis bossy, boss bitch”. Because any line that actively supports Kelis is deserving of praise.
Superficial qualities aside, the instrumental for this track is more important than initially thought.
The group is no stranger to combining elements from multiple genres, unapologetically taking from the realms of Pharrel-style drum programming to shoegaze rifts.
“SEX APPEAL” tinkers with the formula and has a very bounce-heavy baseline that actively works with more assertive lyricism layered on. It’s not a complete left turn for the group’s style, but it is a style that’s not heavily featured in their discography, demonstrating their range. The beat is wonky, incorporating the bouncy drums with samples that come almost left field. It perfectly adds the “weird” futuristic sound the new album aesthetic is going for.
Stream “SEX APPEAL” now and catch CYBERKISS out on September 23rd on Dirty Hit Records.
