Brockhampton’s former de facto frontman Kevin Abstract returned recently, teasing a new solo album in the wake of the band’s dissolution last year. While longtime fans might have expected a hip-hop-tinged project based on Abstract’s prior output, at a secret show in LA where he played the album, Blanket, he surprised fans with a rock-inflected collection of songs that suggested a new direction for the mastermind behind Brockhampton’s success.
He explained his creative process behind the album in a press release, detailing how it was produced over the course of three months with fellow former Brockhampton member Romil Hemnani. According to Kevin, he wanted “to make, like, a Sunny Day Real Estate, Nirvana, Modest Mouse type of record. But I wanted it to hit like a rap album.” The album is Abstract’s fourth solo release — unless you count Brockhampton’s penultimate album, The Family.
Here’s everything we know about Kevin Abstract’s new album Blanket.
Release Date
Blanket is out 11/3 via Video Store/RCA. Find more information here.
Tracklist
01. “When The Rope Post 2 Break”
02. “Blanket”
03. “Running Out”
04. “The Greys”
05. “Voyager”
06. “Madonna”
07. “Today I Gave Up”
08. “What Should I Do?”
09. “Mr. Edwards”
10. “Scream”
11. “Real 2 Me”
12. “Heights, Spiders, And The Dark”
13. “My Friend”
followin back anybody who change they avi to the album cover and ill be sendin some of yal free blanket merch too ong love u gang pic.twitter.com/OJsnHUPwvT
One of part of the alternative hip-hop boy band BROCKHAMPTON, Kevin Abstract, is getting close to dropping his first solo album in four years. However, if saw our article on the last Kevin song, you would know that he is going in a different direction. “Blanket,” which is also the name of his next project, was barely if not at all a cohesive song. It consists of a very short verse and chorus.
However, this latest single, “What Should I Do?” is fully fleshed out. We have longer verses and a theme in the lyrics. What is interesting about this track is some of the people who collaborated with Kevin. If you check out the Genius annotation, you will see that it features some background vocals from pop singer Sabrina Carpenter.
Furthermore, if you take a peek at the production credits, there are some big names behind the acoustic and folky-sounding production. One of which is Romil Hemnani. If you know your BROCKHAMPTON, he is one of the producers for the former group. It is nice to see him contribute to Kevin’s solo career. Lastly, joining the fray is Jonah Abraham. He has made plenty of big songs for artists like Playboi Carti. This will be the eighth track on Kevin’s LP and it will be out on November 3.
What are your initial thoughts on this brand new single from Kevin Abstract, “What Should I Do?” Is this the better of the two tracks from his upcoming album, Blanket? Is this going to be one of the better overall albums of 2023? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Kevin Abstract, as well as all of the hottest song drops.
Quotable Lyrics:
I’m floatin’ through space, in the darkness I see your face between You and me, my friend, my partner, my spot in the shade We’ll drive around this town, pretendin’ like we got it made Then let’s stay up all night long ’til tomorrow turns to day Don’ touch me, it turns me on Frizzy hair, naked, hit the bong (Oh)
Following the disbandment of hip-hop collective Brockhampton last year, Kevin Abstract is gearing up to release his new album, Bleach. Last week, Abstract dropped a trailer for the album in the form of a short film called Gum. Today (October 18), Abstract has shared a new song, “What Should I Do?”
On “What Should I Do?,” Abstract rap-sings over a breezy, guitar instrumental, recalling the feelings of a budding queer love.
“I’m floatin’ through space, in the darkness I see your face between / You and me, my friend, my partner, my spot in the shade / We’ll drive around this town, pretendin’ like we got it made / Then let’s stay up all night, long ’til tomorrow turns to today,” sings Abstract on one of the song’s verses, before later asking, “What should I do to get my mind off of you?”
“What Should I Do?” is accompanied by another short film called Slip N Slide. In the clip, a young boy slides down a rainbow slip-n-slide, which leads him through a city, a forest, and ultimately, to a bleak, empty room.
You can listen to “What Should I Do” and see the Slip N Slide short film above.
Blanket is out 11/3 via RCA. Find more information here.
On Wednesday, October 4, Abstract dropped “Blanket” alongside a video he co-directed with Cole Bat. The acoustic-driven, hushed song underscores an ominous plot, as Abstract is in a house in the middle of nowhere, alone in a dark living room, cradling a creepy baby doll and sitting alongside two cartoonish monsters.
They’re all watching the news, which shows apocalyptic meteors are plummeting toward Earth. That makes Abstract visibly anxious. He bobs his knee, sighs deeply, and looks down at his baby doll when one of the monsters flips the channel to show a disturbing cartoonish man with bulging eyes.
At the same time, the song’s tempo picks up. We hear someone whispering, “I thought these things about me were temporary,” and Abstract sings in the same whispered tone about memories.
Meanwhile, shots cut back and forth from Abstract with a chainsaw in the vast field and Abstract amid a group hug from his oversized monsters. By the end, Abstract drives off in a tractor as the meteors streak across the sky.
Kevin Abstract and BROCKHAMPTON called it quits nearly a year ago with their album, The Family. It was an unfortunate and sad end to the group’s tenure together. One of the most entertaining collections of talent in the hip-hop community and BROCKHAMPTON will always be in our hearts. Their legacy is truly special Abstract has not been active since 2022 either. Actually, the last release under his stage name was in 2021.
It was a single with Ryan Beatty titled “SIERRA NIGHTS.” After that, was a single in 2022 called “DEAR MISS HOLLOWAY” with easy life. Finally, him and Baird dropped a two-pack “Easy v2.” Those songs were titled “Easy v2” and “Easy On Them Turns,” which was a Baird-only cut. However, we finally have some new material from Kevin and it is something that is totally different.
The track is called “Blanket” and it is just under two minutes. It really is not much of a song, though. The lyrics we have shared below and parts of the chorus, which then go into an incredibly short “verse.” Blanket is also accompanied by an interesting video of Kevin and some imaginary-like creatures as a meteor is approaching Earth. An album is on the way as well, but no word of the name or release date just yet.
What are your initial thoughts on Kevin Abstract’s newest single, “Blanket?” Are you excited that he is going in a rock direction? Do you think his next album will be his best one yet? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Kevin Abstract, as well as all of the hottest song releases.
Quotable Lyrics:
Woah, woah I thought these things about me Were momentary Memory, memory, memory
Is rap less dominant now because rock is more prevalent or because rap is turning into rock? This will be a fun quandary to ponder as more and more prominent hip-hop artists expand their purview, following ostensible rappers like Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Yachty in dabbling in experimental sounds of alt, psych, and heavy metal.
That number apparently now also includes Kevin Abstract (because of course it does). Per Stereogum, at the former Brockhampton frontman’s first solo show in six years, he played tracks from what may very well be his own rock project. According to Stereogum’s Tom Breihan, the established genre-bender went full-on grunge at his show at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, rocking out with a full band and playing nine new songs including “Blanket,” the song he teased earlier this week with his “Sleepover” trailer.
This one sounds very New Wave-y, like if someone listened to nothing but The Cure for a year straight.
It sounds like Abstract certainly has enough material for a new solo album, and from these early previews, it’s beginning to look like we might have to switch sections for our coverage. It’s also encouraging to see some of the hottest contemporary hip-hop acts branch out, making room for both new faces on the scene and new (read: reclaimed) sounds under the Black music umbrella.
It has been nearly a year since Brockhampton’s epic farewell show and true to his promise, Kevin Abstract has returned with new solo music due by the end of the year. Today, he shared a teaser of his new single “Blanket,” announcing an intimate show later this week at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever.
The teaser for “Blanket,” a short film called “Sleepover,” features a young boy playing video games with his imaginary friends when something goes bump in the night. Over on his website, you can check out the teaser, get tickets to the show, and even play a browser game, guiding a little race car through a maze. Those of us old enough to remember the halcyon days of early meme internet already know bettter than to even try it.
Brockhampton has undoubtedly solidified itself as the defining boy band of the Gen-Z generation. First meeting on a Kanye West fan forum, Brockhampton (named after the street Kevin Abstract grew up on) has one of the most tight-knit and impactful discographies to date. After releasing The Family and TM at the end of 2022, it seems that the band’s illustrious run has finally ended. Today, we rank Brockhampton’s nine studio albums from worst to best.
9. TM (2022)
Unfortunately, Brockhampton ended with a whimper rather than a bang. When you consider how out of touch numerous members of the group had been since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn’t come as a surprise when fans were treated with the jaded, incomplete project that is TM. Rather than a cohesive experience, TM reads as a colorless collection of tracks that never made previous projects. That said, TM still features a collection of dark and gritty tracks that make it worth a listen. “MAN ON THE MOON” draws the listener in with twinkling synths featuring soothing vocals from Joba and Ryan Beatty. “FMG” toys with distorted synths and a grumbling 808 amidst menacing verses from Kevin Abstract and Dom McLennon. However, these highlights are an exception rather than a constant. Ultimately, TM comes from a group of artists who created the project out of obligation rather than creative freedom.
8. ALL-AMERICAN TRASH (2016)
Technically, this is Brockhampton’s first and only mixtape, ALL-AMERICAN TRASH. It set the groundwork for the Saturation trilogy that arrived a year later. The group came together at a run-down house in San Marcos, Texas, without pinpointing what they would create. Sharing rooms and spending their days creating music, it’s understandable that this project would come from a group of kids who haven’t yet developed creative chemistry.
ALL-AMERICAN TRASH tackled lo-fi, melodic soundscapes that walked a tightrope between hip-hop and soul. As a result, members such as Joba and Bearface have more pronounced appearances on the project. This included an impressive look on the blissful “HOME.” It’s hard to miss the Outkast influences on “MICHIGAN,” blending pitched-down synths with slapshot hi-hats. While there are a few worthy moments from the mixtape, there are far too many slow burners from a group trying too hard to fit into a creative mold.
7. The Family (2022)
The Family was released as a creative counterpart along TM at the end of 2022. While it was released under the name of Brockhampton, it’s essentially a Kevin Abstract album. The Family sees Abstract read from his journal, chronicling the events that led to the demise of hip-hop’s most beloved boyband. He’s brutally honest, stating, “I decided not to show up or show support ’cause I was tryna go solo before we went on tour” on the groovy “All That.”
There’s a bitter aftertaste to The Family. The gorgeous soul samples scream for a chorus from Matt Champion or an exhilarating verse from Merlyn. Abstract doesn’t have to say anything; the absence of the rest of the group (except for Bearface) says enough about where the group is. However, the sendoff is still lyrically touching. From the heart-wrenching outro track “Brockhampton” to the sun-seeking “Good Time,” The Family is an admirable effort from Abstract.
6. Iridescence (2018)
Brockhampton took a left turn after the smash success of the Saturation trilogy. After an exhausting world tour, the group took some time off before creating their most experimental project. Iridescence is a distorted collection of mosh-pit bangers created by a group that just wanted to get back to having fun making music. While it’s nowhere near their best work, the experimental vocal pitching and wild song structures become easier to enjoy with each listen.
However, Brockhampton bites off more than they can chew on much of their fifth record. The balance they achieved on Saturation III is out of whack, as its experimentation often seems directionless. Of course, this reality is understandable, considering the recent departure of frontman Ameer Vann. That said, there are occasional moments when the chaos finds its way through the clutter. “TONYA” is one of Brockhampton’s best songs, as the piano chord-ridden intro gradually morphs into a momentous banger. “J’OUVERT” and “NEW ORLEANS” expresses the group’s inner rage at the world around them.
5. Saturation (2017)
Brockhampton’s sudden progression from ALL-AMERICAN TRASH to Saturation left hip-hop fans dumbfounded. Leaping from lo-fi melodies to unapologetic bangers, the collective unequivocally found their sound on their first installment of the Saturation trilogy. After the group moved from San Marcos, Texas, to Los Angeles, they immediately worked on their debut album. As Bearface put it, “Music was being made all of the time. You could wake up at 6:00 a.m., and somebody would be making something.” The group’s endless labor would send waves across the US music scene.
From the braggadocios “GOLD” to the shimmering melodies on “SWIM,” there’s an overarching message of self-confidence. The production chops of the project are the stand-out element, as the lyricism is far more naive and cringeworthy than in their later works. However, Saturation stands out as Brockhampton’s most essential record, catapulting them from suburban streets to the limelight of Hollywood.
4. Ginger (2019)
Their fifth studio album, Ginger, was nowhere near the group’s initial plan for the record. Back in June 2019, Abstract told GQ, “We want to make a summer album.” Ten seconds into “No Halo,” this notion was promptly thrown out the window. Brockhampton struggles to navigate the world around them on Ginger, further expanding on the experimental sampling on Iridescence. In many ways, the record feels like a fully realized version of what Iridescence was meant to be.
Some of Brockhampton’s best tracks to date are on Ginger.’Joba screams out on “Dearly Departed” while Dom delivers his most heartfelt verse on the backend. “Boy Bye” is one of those tracks that will drive aspiring producers crazy; the plucky lead melodies and eclectic sampling make it a much-needed banger on a somber project. Ginger is top-heavy and occasionally meandering. However, undoubtedly, it’s another solid addition to their discography.
3. Saturation II (2017)
Released only two months after the first Saturation installment, Saturation II saw Brockhampton fully capitalize on its notoriety. Swiping away the notion that great music takes a long time to perfect, the project saw Brockhampton brush up on many subtle flaws in the first installment. The lyrics aren’t falsely self-indulgent, and the production feels far more poignant than ever. With the group in a creative flow, diving right back into Saturation II rather than sitting on Saturation proved wise.
Once again, Brockhampton is finding subtle ways to blend the worlds of Outkast and Frank Ocean. “Jesus” and “Summer” are gorgeous, while “Gummy” and “Tokyo” ditch the pretty boy act for wonky bangers. The chemistry had taken a notable leap, as members more frequently traded mid-verses bars. While Brockhampton’s discography never shied away from attacking dark subject matter, Saturation II remains their most gleeful project.
2. Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021)
The sixth project from Brockhampton, Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine was their most introspective record. Much of the narrative struggle is centered around Joba, who’s processing the tormented aftermath of his father’s suicide. “Does mental illness run in the family? Did you even care about me?” Joba asks these damning questions amid beats more subtle than what appeared on any of the Saturation projects. Roadrunner opts to package its messaging with quality rather than quality, coming in at 13 tracks.
Roadrunner is genre-bending and unpredictable from start to finish. “I’ll Take You On” brings in Charlie Wilson for background vocals on the lovesick and triumphant cut. “Buzzcut” sees Merlyn take the forefront, with Danny Brown delivering a feature. In fact, Roadrunner is the first project that sees Brockhampton incorporate features, a welcomed change to the scenery of their sound. Bouncing from soulful pop ballads to trap bangers, Roadrunner compacts everything great about Brockhampton.
1. Saturation III (2017)
Saturation III feels like a grandiose culmination, the creative prime of a group already at the top of the mountain. While previous projects often lacked a certain element, whether surface-level songwriting or wallpaper production styles, the final installment of the Saturation trilogy finally saw Brockhampton bring it all together. Excluding the brief interludes, the record only features 12 tracks, which aids in the cohesive nature of the record. Brockhampton’s pen game is at its peak on Saturation III. Ameer, Dom, and Merlyn have improved on all fronts. This is especially notable on bangers such as “Boogie” and “Bleach.”
In many ways, “TEAM” feels like the perfect send-off, as it symbolically blends the two contrasting sides of Brockhampton. Bearface is once again the outro star, as his harrowing vocals are layered with a screeching electric guitar. In summary, every member is given room to shine.
Late last year, Brockhampton officially broke up, but not before dropping two albums in the time span of two days. First came the highly anticipated seventh LP The Family, then was the surprise record TM. They’re already hard enough to keep up with, especially when it comes to the beloved member Kevin Abstract, who’s apparently never slowing down.
The artist told GQ in a new interview that he has a lot of ambitions and goals for this year, including putting out a solo LP. “I want to put an album out this summer,” he said. And that’s not it — he also mentioned a tour and venturing into new artistic mediums, such as film and TV, which his friends do.
Abstract was actually the only member of Brockhampton on The Family. About the new Brockhampton records and the breakup of the band, Abstract wrote in a letter, “The members of the band began to move our separate ways and focus on our individual careers and passions. With this project, a few of us were inspired to make something new that would bring closure to the past and set the table for all of us to finally be able to explore our individual futures.”
Brockhampton may have dropped their final two albums last month, however, it appears they’ve got a few more gifts for fans before they disband for good. Yesterday (December 22), Kevin Abstract took to social media to unveil a teaser for their upcoming Christmas special.
In a video clip shared to Twitter and Instagram, Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer is seen having dinner with someone in a restaurant and describing a rather scary, vivid dream she had the night before. She tells the person across from her that he was in it, and says the same thing to a person sitting next to her offscreen. The camera then cuts to the person, who is revealed to be Brockhampton member Kevin Abstract, whose real name is Clifford Ian Simpson.
“Hello,” Abstract says. “You’re just in time. Welcome to the Christmas special. I’m Ian Simpson, and we have a few stories we want to tell you guys.”
The screen then presents text reading “Xmas Special Vol. 1”
Brockhampton has been teasing the Christmas special the Christmas special over the course of the past week, with images and clips that appear to have been shot on an old camcorder.
BREAKING: Footage has leaked from Kevin Abstract’s secret concert last night in Los Angeles 
