Album Review: KennyHoopla "“how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//“
By Julia Im
HE’S AN ALL OR NOTHING GUY AND HE’S BLENDING ALL THE GENRES - KennyHoopla is carving his space in the music space and here’s to say. His latest project, how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?// isn’t your traditional indie album. He has made it clear since the beginning that he has something to say with his music: “poetry is not a luxury, it’s how I’ll break this home//“. Each track has its unique vibe, from EDM to guitar; but they all are exploding with meaningful messages. The Wisconsin based artist taps into a “new nostalgia” vibe with his emotive vocals and inviting production elements, complete with music videos that take you to his world.
With a background in a variety of creative pursuits, from breakdance to photography, KennyHoopla is in it to conquer all that he pursues. how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?// showcases Kenny Hoopla’s lust for experimentation and always making it work. Read below to get a glimpse at the six tracks.
“thinkingoutloud//“
This song is sure to put the listener in a trance; the empowering background beat juxtaposed with the moving beat is a twist on the classic “angsty” song. A track for when you want to feel like you are on top of the world - “thinkingoutloud //” is a powerhouse way to start the EP.
“how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//“
This title track, released earlier in March, has been popular from the start; the mix of carefreeness and confidence allows the listener to reminisce and move with the music. The lyrics “Culture is so claustrophobic / Claws to prove it hurts so good, And the party's over” highlights the pain of party culture. The music video, set in a classic party, represents the pressures of social gathering: getting drunk, hookup culture, etc are all aspects of parties that we are forced to be surrounded by.
“plastic door//“
This song is my personal favorite in the album; the lyrics and meaning behind this song shows just how much music can express. The lyrics “is it satirical that I feel so welcome” exposes the paradox of intersectional oppression that we face. This song is also very interpretive, as the lyrics about guns can be represented in many different instances; in that way we all relate to this song. The lyrics “All I really cared about was oxygen and making friends / All I really ever wanted was for you to let me in, Thank you for letting me in” to me shows how dangerous it is to want to be in a position of privilege when one is born as anyone but a cis, heterosexual, white man.
“dust//“
This song best represents what it means to be human; although it’s unfortunate, we all eventually turn into dust. the almost eerie like backtrack reminds me of what I imagine when I lay in bed at 1 AM looking at my ceiling.
“sore loser//“
Starting off with a guitar beat, this song’s lyrics really spoke to me; we all have an internal monologue of letting go and being a sore loser. I related a lot to the chorus, as sometimes the pressure of competition makes me just want to “live as an echo” and give up. Although this seems very sad, this song still makes the listener feel better, in a way; knowing that giving up means you allow yourself to become a sore loser.
“the world is flat and this is the edge//“
This song will be your hype person when you need one; the metaphorical world’s flatness that life doesn’t last forever, but instead we should make life worth it. The electric music, balanced with KennyHoopla’s voice, is a twist on the classic EDM song and definitely is a great end to a great album.
