Backwoodz Studioz release 'Crayola Circles', a collaboration between rapper Fatboi Sharif and producer Child Actor. While both artists have long standing connections to Backwoodz, this album marks their first collaboration of any kind and breaks new artistic ground for all parties.
Sharif’s previous album, 'Decay', released on Backwoodz in 2023, was a haunting experimental rap masterpiece, an acid trip in a mental hospital. On 'Crayola Circles' Sharif trades menacing psychedelia for a simmering stew of blacklight expressionism, his verses slipping effortlessly through the swells and tides of Child Actor’s masterful production. No matter how uneasy the waves grow, Sharif is at ease, a truth teller whispering anti-riddles in your ear. This album feels like a new chamber for Child Actor, as well. The producer has been on an impressive run since dropping 'CINE'- a collaboration with rapper Cavalier- on Backwoodz in late 2024. Child Actor has shown up in the liner notes of everyone from Navy Blue ('The Sword & The Soaring') to Earl Sweatshirt ('Live, Laugh, Love') to ELUCID ('Revelator') to Open Mike Eagle ('Neighborhood Gods Unlimited'), to Ghais Guevara ('A Quest to Self-Mythologize'), amongst others. On 'Crayola Circles' Child Actor’s production is dynamic, shifting and sliding into new phases and movements in an instant. The beats are full and knotty, leaning into jazz and folk, while remaining tethered to the tender minimalism that is his signature. It’s a difficult balance for any producer, and here it is executed perfectly, placing us in a world of wood and brass, cowhide and undersea piano. On any other record, this soundscape would steal the show — and it very nearly does — but Sharif’s command never wavers, ever in control; a lucid dreamer in an induced coma.
There are no guests, no skits, and no interludes. There might not even be songs, instead 'Crayola Circles' seems akin to a great river; singular, traversing forest and jungle, mountain and valley, running from mouth to endless sea.
Sharif’s previous album, 'Decay', released on Backwoodz in 2023, was a haunting experimental rap masterpiece, an acid trip in a mental hospital. On 'Crayola Circles' Sharif trades menacing psychedelia for a simmering stew of blacklight expressionism, his verses slipping effortlessly through the swells and tides of Child Actor’s masterful production. No matter how uneasy the waves grow, Sharif is at ease, a truth teller whispering anti-riddles in your ear. This album feels like a new chamber for Child Actor, as well. The producer has been on an impressive run since dropping 'CINE'- a collaboration with rapper Cavalier- on Backwoodz in late 2024. Child Actor has shown up in the liner notes of everyone from Navy Blue ('The Sword & The Soaring') to Earl Sweatshirt ('Live, Laugh, Love') to ELUCID ('Revelator') to Open Mike Eagle ('Neighborhood Gods Unlimited'), to Ghais Guevara ('A Quest to Self-Mythologize'), amongst others. On 'Crayola Circles' Child Actor’s production is dynamic, shifting and sliding into new phases and movements in an instant. The beats are full and knotty, leaning into jazz and folk, while remaining tethered to the tender minimalism that is his signature. It’s a difficult balance for any producer, and here it is executed perfectly, placing us in a world of wood and brass, cowhide and undersea piano. On any other record, this soundscape would steal the show — and it very nearly does — but Sharif’s command never wavers, ever in control; a lucid dreamer in an induced coma.
There are no guests, no skits, and no interludes. There might not even be songs, instead 'Crayola Circles' seems akin to a great river; singular, traversing forest and jungle, mountain and valley, running from mouth to endless sea.
TRACK LISTING
1. Six Figurines
2. Assassination Tapes
3. How To Disinfect A Live Grenade
4. Chemo Crystal Ball
5. Saltwater Tantrums
6. Night Terrors
7. Recognition
8. Diagnosis
9. Crayola Circles Of Creativity
10. ANGER
11. Chinese Sunrise
12. Kwaidan Snowstorm
13. Leon Ichaso
14. Willow Trees
15. The Destitute Stashspot
