After leaving pop-punk outfit Tiger Jaw in 2013, Adam Mcllwee ventured out as a solo act, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal. Combining the emo & goth aesthetics of his band days w/ cloud rap, he put out projects like #FEB13, #HELLVERSION, Passionate Yet, and Abercrombie & Me. In the process of doing so, he helped carve out a hybrid musical lane, the one that boasts a cult-like following and has produced scene stars like Lil Peep (RIP) & Lil Tracy. Wicca Phase, who is a member of GothBoiClique w/ the aforementioned artists, released Secret Boy in 2016. It's the perfect intersection of guitar-based music & Soundcloud rap, with emotionally charged lyrics and atmospheric, melodic trap beats that sometimes include samples from names like Blink-182 (acoustic version of "I Lose Everything") and The Cure ("Scars On Me"). Check out "Secret Boy," "Lights On Paper," and "It Takes."

• limited to 600 copies
• green-in-clear vinyl
• includes digital download code
• music label: Run For Cover Records / 2018

reviewed by singing in japanese 11/18