JOEY VALENCE & BRAE — ‘WHERE U FROM’

Writer’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The easiest way to describe Joey Valence & Brae to someone who hasn’t heard of them before is to say they’re an updated version of The Beastie Boys. The boom-bap, backpack rap made famous the world over by the New York icons is clearly incredibly influential in JVB’s sound and their carefree attitude and approach make every song a joy to listen to.

‘WHERE U FROM’ is the second single released by the duo, not even a year after their stellar debut album ‘PUNK TACTICS’ and shows just as much spirit as we’ve come to expect. The juxtaposition of the chill, almost laidback beat works perfectly against the duo’s brash delivery of every line. For three minutes they rebel against the gatekeepers and the tastemakers who have written them off as a fad, poking fun at the snobs and having the time of their life whilst delivering their art to their audience. ‘WHERE U FROM’ is the perfect encapsulation of the middle finger to those who don’t get it. As long as the fans do, that’s what matters.

The fact JVB have dropped two new singles less than six months after the release of their debut record shows the hunger this duo possesses. They’re not content to let the viral economy pass them by as they rest on one tik tok trend to pay the bills, they want to keep pushing forward and keep striving for greatness. To me, they’re one of the most exciting acts in music currently and their hunger is a major part of that. Their talent is undeniable and ‘WHERE U FROM’ once again shows that.