Toshiyo Ghoul - Dark Art (EP)

Toshiyo Ghoul's debut EP “Dark Art” is here & it's poignancy with a bit of edge to it. We start things off with the previously released "Devil's Dance," which was my 1st introduction to this unique artist; he has that modernist flow. Still, his lyricism is impeccable, particularly on this track, as he details what it's like tangoing with Lucy. It's almost like they're doing their dancing along a tightrope & he's doing everything in his power to maintain his balance. She for sure can make him lose his sanity, but he'll be damned if he allows the Devil to infiltrate any of what he's trying to achieve.

In fact, the only thing he's really chasing is that bag, so if he is going to pass on, he'll "Die Rich," maybe then she'll finally respect him for what he's worth rather than the materialistic succubus he's come to know, she only seems to care about him when she knows she's benefiting from it. Still, she more than likely wouldn't even get his "Pocket Change," he worked hard to get his pockets up, now pocket change for him is more than nickels & dimes, but if he wouldn't give you either of those, then the rest is pretty self-explanatory & can we just point out his versatility so far. Each of these three songs got a different feel & sound to them, this cut being the most subtle out of the 5 & honestly, this was a curveball for me. I got a little used to the melodies, but he's straight rapping on this one; not that he isn't on the previous two, he's actually mixing the melodies with the lyricism.

He's fired up & she just continues to give him the cold shoulder, accepting the toxicity between them on "Fire and Ice," Toshiyo is upset that it's come to this, that this relationship just couldn't be what he wanted it to be. I'm sure he put all his effort into making it be. Still, she seemed to take issue with his lifestyle as an artist, even though none of the byproducts of his growing stardom has changed who he is at heart in any way. It has changed those around him & now he's left trying to numb the pain of it all through his "Dark Art," which is melancholy more than anything as he manages to keep his spirits higher than ever despite all the emotional turmoil he's been forced to endure.