The debut album …From What? by Outsideness is an intriguing collaboration between two musicians, exploring what their combined creative energy can produce. The project brings together Friedrich$ and Azalia on equal footing, both contributing vocals throughout the record.
The album consists of 11 tracks and opens with “Remedy,” which was also the first demo they used to test whether their collaboration would work at all. The track leans heavily into an R&B-inspired sound, with Friedrich$ taking the lead for most of it. Toward the end, Azalia enters with a half-seductive, half-raw vocal delivery that adds a striking emotional contrast.
“Pretend” takes a more danceable direction while still maintaining an introspective feel. The vocal effects work particularly well here, and both voices complement each other beautifully. At times, it even recalls the softer side of 100 gecs – the hyperpop-like atmosphere is especially engaging.
“Crazy” features a more pop-oriented instrumental, with layered and overlapping vocals that create a slightly unsettling, chaotic atmosphere. In its second half, the track transforms into an energetic electronic section driven by raw, emotional vocal delivery. It then flows into the ballad “Different,” which opens with an unusual intro before the vocals intertwine in a way that strongly evokes Frank Ocean, especially in the moments where the vocal dynamics shift rapidly and the track unfolds in fluid waves.
Regarding “Poltergeist,” Friedrich$ described it as the point where the record stops being an experiment: “After this, there’s no pretending we’re just trying things out. It becomes a statement whether we like it or not.” The track is very raw, and the unpolished vocal delivery in the opening may feel intense for some listeners, but to me it feels powerful and intentional. When Azalia’s expansive melody enters around the 1:20 mark, it becomes a standout moment not only of the track but of the entire album. The song carries a beautiful, slowcore-like emotional weight and an impressive surge of energy.
In the second half of the record, Azalia’s presence becomes more energetic and emotionally charged, as heard in parts of “Lovers”. “Thank U” subtly references Thank You by Dido beneath layers of vocals. “Country” introduces acoustic guitar, offering a refreshing shift and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Similarly, “Cold World” feels even more fragile, gradually building toward a more dynamic and powerful ending that includes a surprisingly engaging rap section.
The closing track “Ends” brings the mood back to where the album began – more trap-influenced, melancholic, raw, and serious in tone.
…From What? is a collaborative debut, bringing together Friedrich$ and Azalia in a genre-blending exploration of R&B, hyperpop, electronic music, and experimental pop. Highlights like “Pretend,” “Crazy,” and “Poltergeist” show the duo’s strength in vocal interplay and dynamic shifts, while later tracks introduce more acoustic and stripped-back moments alongside heavier, more intense sections. The record gradually transforms from an exploratory project into a confident artistic statement, marked by emotional depth, stylistic risk-taking, and a sense of cohesion despite its experimental nature.
This album was discovered via Submit Hub
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