ALBUM REVIEW | RE-BIRTH BY OBUXUM

On her debut full-length album entitled Re-Birth, Toronto-based producer, OBUXUM, navigates sonically through the experiential complexities of life as a black woman through her own distinct and unique style of layered and vibrant beats. Following her 2018 EP, H.E.R., Re-Birth lives up to its name, combining elements from hip-hop, house, and techno to create something that feels both familiar and entirely new in comparison to her previous work.

OBUXUM has undoubtedly found her artistic footing on Re-Birth, mastering clear and impactful political storytelling through engaging musical execution. On the opening track, “Ayeeyo’s Intro / Can you feel my rage?”, OBUXUM explores her heritage through audio describing gender-based violence present in modern-day Somalia, underscored by a house beat laced with varied percussive textures and deviations in a rhythmic structure that feels reminiscent of free jazz. This album works to challenge the listener by subverting expectations of genre and sound. OBUXUM has said that the album, “isn’t your average ‘beat tape’. I created deliberate little worlds that tells numerous stories.” This sentiment is clearly seen in the movement between the booming futuristic synths of “Does your blood not move?” into the dreamy melodic arpeggiations of “EQUITY!!!”. The transition from heightened excitement into simplicity leaves room for reflection and meditation on the sample from Viola Davis’ 2015 Emmy acceptance speech. OBUXUM uses sound and tone in a beautifully purposeful way to enhance world-building and drive the message of this album through an instrumental medium.

The last track on the album, “A Story about Re-Birth / To Be Continued,” gives way to a look toward the future. A robotic sounding voice states, “If this is your first time here, I shall explain the rules.” Interestingly, none are ever given. Perhaps this signals that it is the job of the listener to write them; they are the actors charged with rewriting the structure of the world we live in; a social rebirth of sorts. Now more than ever, there is hope for this new beginning, and OBUXUM captures this optimism perfectly.