Featured Photo Credit: Travis Bailey
Let’s start with the name—Max Drazen; it oozes cool with an ounce of badass. Following the acclaimed release of his first single, “Let Me Down Slow,” this soulful, curly ginger dropped his debut EP in June via Field Trip Recordings/Capitol Records, and it is 100% fire. Euphoria Magazine commended Drazen as “Already demonstrating his skills as a lyrical tycoon with a sound that surpasses the singular categories of a typical genre.” In layman’s terms, Max Drazen is brilliant.
Drazen’s four-song collection is more than required listening; the feel and tone suggest this EP is very personal. “Swoop,” “Someday,” “Five Three,” and “More (Like That)” have all the signs of a nod to relationships, women, sex, love, a little bit of hope, brewing broken hearts, and everything in between.
With the sprightly funky “Swoop,” the lyrics make a fun and flirty statement as Drazen works his charms to convince a crush that she should break up with her boyfriend. In the retro-colored music video, Drazen flaunts his performing chops and showmanship while he gives each dancer a moment in the spotlight to parade their talents.
Drazen lays a breezy spin on pop and RnB music while he sings the wonder of being absolutely smitten with a new love in the track “More (Like That).” With a voice that is seasoned and yet earnest, Drazen has the skill to engage with his music in a way that few other performers seem to do these days—and that makes him a necessary hype. The stylistic command of the single “Someday” has an affecting dash of passion and brings a touching sincerity to Drazen’s self-described “sad lyrics.” While the track “Five Three” is a tastefully steamy and emotional self-examination of a relationship that soured.
Collaborating with producers Renee and Dave Villa, many messages of romantic truth flow from the Someday EP. It is clear that Max Drazen is a forward-thinking artist who found his technique and ultra-hip singing voice in Someday. Far from a byproduct of a 90s boyband with a synchronized dance routine, Drazen has the talent and the TikTok followers to sell out any amphitheater. Someday is a significant and influential celebration that takes fans to a relatable love territory in music and proves that Drazen will have more laurels to rest on as his career progresses.