Revealing, complicated and contentious, musical influence is like a family tree. In the last 15 years, no musicians roots have been dissected more than Kanye Wests. The production and lyrical sensibilities of A Tribe Called Quest and Ma$e birthed the young Chicago star and, in turn, Wests suburban anxieties and everyman relatability made way for Drake and Kid Cudi. Next, as you probably know, came Travis Scott. In each iteration, the formula works.
On Touring Test, David Wolves proves that Travis Scotts intricate beats, dark lyrics and nocturnal moaning are the sounds of the moment. The 22-year-old resides in Orlando, Florida and is prepping the release of his debut project, VIOLE(N)T, and the projects lead single was mixed and mastered by Anthony Kilhoffer frequent engineer and producer for Kanye and Travis. Touring Test is a barrage of high-pitched, stabbing synths and aggressive drums. As those elements crash to shore, Wolves belts, I wont be sorry if I act like myself.
Born in Medelln, Colombia, David remembers listening to Kanye during his early childhood as his family emigrated to the United States.
One of the first ways I learned English was in my dads white truck, singing along to the radio, David says. Its crazy because I remember listening to Kanye Wests Through The Wire. I didnt understand the lyrics, but I sang them. That was when it all began for me.
On Touring Test, he pushes the jagged synths of mid-career Kanye into a tight, pop-leaning direction. The music is dark, but Wolves displays the good sense to structure it like something you might hear on the radio in 2019. Its an impressive first outing.