“Rushing To Wait” Review by Beach Sloth
Joshua Webb embraces the bombastic with “Rushing To Wait.” Styles abound, as he shows off a dazzling understanding of a whole slew of genres. 80s hip-hop, contemporary EDM, elements of industrial, and dollops of noise, he weaves these together. The results have a vibrancy with his vocals as the unifying factor. From the darkness and into the light, the experience the listener has within these tracks is quite riveting. Going for a rather full view of a person’s innermost thoughts and feelings, he holds nothing back allowing it all to rush forward in bright brilliant bursts.
The references abound throughout. Nods to Death Grips’ pure unbridled aggression adorn the heaviest moments, for he incorporates a sense of dread within certain verses. On the EDM aspects, the sharper aspects and bass-heavy rumbles suggest an influence from the Prodigy’s most communal chaotic albums, as there are elements of rave found deep within the album’s DNA. For the hip-hop ethos, the songs have a hint of Run DMC’s sense of discovery, allowing the sound a timeless, classic stance. By blending these many dramatically different aspects together he crafts a coherent, unifying vision.
“Mosh Pit” offers a strong open. His vocals command. He captures the sheer intensity of a live concert. The multifaceted, multilayered approach has a careful cadence with the riffs going right for a heavy crushing sensation. Bass has a physicality as “Bounce Back” has a cautious optimism, with the bluesy sample adding to the inherent beauty. 80s retro vibes on “Oxygen” give the piece a romantic yearning. Trance pop unfurls on the gleeful “Full-Time Lover.” “J-DUB (On Ya System)” he embraces minimalism with the sly grooves gaining flexibility.
Darker impulses race through as “Turn Up The Pain” makes sure to go right for the jugular, as it has a tense, uneasy attitude with its flow of pure fire. “Princess” has a party-rock atmosphere, bringing a distinctive early 80s hip-hop funk behind it. Tender tones unfurl with a gracefulness as “Everyday” adopts a careful, keen balance letting the drums have this compassionate stance. Melodies have a loveliness that highlights the fragile word choice. “I’ll Be There For You” has a pastoral beauty, bringing a slew of chords together in this vast ecosystem. Neatly bringing the whole thing home is the glowing, glistening aspects of “How I Love You.”
“Rushing To Wait” has Joshua Webb outline an entire emotional journey thanks to the poignant lyricism and equally powerful production.