.FIVE by TOBY TESLA is an R&B project with heavy Trap Influences. It feels like a train of thought in the way it maintains cohesive themes and constants while shifting energy from hyper confident to introspective from track to track.
Beginning with Done Fast and Driveway, the opening tracks introduce us to TOBY TESLA’s sound. It feels subtle and confident in a charismatic way. His high register vocals work with the bouncy synths that make up the melody. There is also great use of harmony in the opening tracks, especially Driveways. This track utilises a harmony following just behind the vocal. It feels more melancholic and sensitive than the main melody, providing an alternative take on the narrative from a more reflective and gentle perspective.
The next tracks change the energy subtly with the use of a more breezy, confident tone underscored by the layers of guitar that are used on TIMEZONE. The vocals are also different. The flow is more smooth and there is a depth in the vocals that isnt present in the earlier tracks. It maintains that subtle vulnerability of the earlier songs but this feels like a more balanced interpretation of TOBY TESLA’s mix of Trap and R&B influencers. These tracks stand out as my personal favourites because of that balance within their combination of influences. Although TOBY TESLA seems comfortable and at home across every track on the album, these feel like his strongpoint and are more emotionally resonant because of that.The EP shifts towards the end into a more trap inspired angle. In My Way and Don’t Bother Me are two trap bangers which replace the hiss of the R&B bass with the deep, punchy thump of heavy rhythm. The vocals also drop an octave or two to lean into this hyper confident, refined, sinister energy. Don’t Bother Me has a super smooth flow that evolves as the distortion in the mix builds. The purposeful distortion on this one reminded me of Tommy Richman’s meteoric rise this year with Million Dollar Baby.
The diversity in this collection is amazing but despite some introspective subtle tracks at the top and some trap bangers towards the end, it is that perfect balance of the two that stood out the most.
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