[REVIEW] HOME AWAY - xTRILLIAMS

xTRILLIAMS and crew (Image Credit: Lisa McLean)

There’s no doubt that the past few weeks have been rough for a lot of us, but if there is one thing we can all get excited about, it’s the debut of Sydney rapper xTRILLIAMS, also known as TRILLI.

Although you may have previously caught him kicking a$$, competing as a wrestler and martial artist at state and national levels, TRILLI isn’t completely new to the Sydney music scene, having worked alongside some of our finest creatives, such as INQ and our very own Esky. With his own fresh flow and the help of some local talent, he’s stepping into his spotlight with his sophomore EP Home Away.

In collaboration with producer and beatmaker Chonks, and featuring Yokohama-based artist Sanè, the Fijian-Chinese rapper brings us tales of growing up as an Asian immigrant hanging out with his mates in the ‘burbs. The unique aspects of TRILLI’s rapping style are the feelings of calm and nostalgia that are evoked through his  tone, to his genuine and personal lyrics which throw you right back into your childhood; like a friend telling you a story. 

While drill has been all the rave in the area for a while now, TRILLI strips back the hype of the beat and returns to the vitality of enveloping listeners in his story, reminding us what truly is to be consumers of art.

TRILLI performing (Image Credit: Lisa McLean)

The first track on the EP, ‘Blame’, has you literally feeling the freedom oozing out of the laid-back, almost island-vibe guitar melody. This is the kind of song you listen to with your eyes closed, the sun in your face, while neglecting a million responsibilities, to just breathe and chill for a moment.

‘Face’ and ‘AirBNB’ ,featuring Sanè, bring the 90s to you from wherever and whenever you are. The little synth melody samples here and there are simple, but evoke such joy as a listener. Their voices go together like honey. They’re sweet and free flowing; every gap filled with either a soothing melody of Sanè’s gentle tone or the stability of TRILLI’s flow. It gets even better, though, because the EP features an additional live mix of ‘AirBNB’, as well as a remix of ‘Face’ ,so you can experience twice the artistry on the same songs!

The ingenious incorporation of Japanese into the anecdotes really personalises the experience of the music not only for the listeners, but for the artists. We tend to downplay the intimacy of the music for the creators, but this is their story to tell - a part of them we are invited to experience with them.

This EP is one for the kids at heart who miss their friends, love their family, and need a holiday ASAP. 

For Home Away to only be the beginning for xTRILLIAMS’ musical endeavours proves that we have every reason to be excited for what’s to come. He’s just shifted the game, and we should all be on the lookout for the waves he’s about to make.

For now though, I’m going to have ‘Blame’ on repeat everyday until I can actually be back in a car with my friends, thanks.
Check out Home Away on all streaming platforms now!