Many artists are usually defined by one or two genres in music and while their music is constantly evolving, the genre tends to stay consistent. In Derek Luh’s new Socks & Slides EP, genre disappears as he experiments with his sound.
Luh started writing for the project in February 2019 at a month-long writing camp with various writers and producers to help grow and strengthen his artistry. Releasing the first singles, “Jerry Maguire” and “Hoodie” from the EP back in September and November of last year, it gave fans a taste of the new era.
Released under his own, Low-Sodium Records, the genre-ridden EP is a testament to the rapper and singers’ desire to broaden his sound and musical abilities after seven years of very heavily Hip Hop influenced releases. “I really wanted to see what I could do and have fun. As an artist you keep growing and experimenting with your sound and don’t want the next album to sound like the last,” Luh expressed as the main focus with this EP was to illustrate not only growth as an artist but as a person.
The seven-track EP explores relationships, both past and present, with others and within himself as his well-known hip hop roots intertwine with new inspiration from rock to 70’s groove, that flows so effortlessly. Taking notes from his favorite band Sublime, as well as artists such as Bruno Mars and Mac Miller who are all such versatile artists that Luh wanted to create within his own music.
“I never really had a creative process where it was a bunch of different and new artists helping. It was a bunch of different eclectic people that were able to come together and bring this to life and I had full control,” Luh mentioned about what made the process for this project different from his past having such a clear vision of what he wanted. “The best part was seeing it come to life.”
For Luh, this project means the most to him because, “I took a chance and seeing fans respond so well… Taking a risk as a person in general is scary, but taking a risk as an artist, and an artist who has a fan base, because you don’t know how it’s going to be received.” The risk-taking paid off for Luh, highlighting the true talent and passion he has as an artist willing to break barriers, explore and experiment beyond his ideal, to continue his growth as an artist. Socks & Slides is the beginning of a new chapter for Derek Luh that defines his love for the craft of music.
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