OOH RAP I YA
George Clanton
The Big Issue Australia
Issue #6941 September 2023
By Olivia J. Bennett
As vaporwave luminary George Clanton re-emerges in full force, his sound has undeniably evolved. This album—his fourth—introduces a new level of technical sophistication to the genre, firmly cementing Clanton as its spiritual leader. Boom-bap breaks and haunting synth underscore the track ‘Justify Your Life', which conveys a potent message: "Sometimes you've got to take your leave and start all over/Make believe it's right." The single ‘I Been Young’ casts youth in a spiritually omnipresent light, lamenting that "Growing up is never easy/Can't you see how life is blinding you?" as harmonious piano strains, and synths wall over rhythmic breaks. Surpassing the album's technical mastery is its lyricism, rich in imagery and emotion as it navigates listeners through the transformative realm of young adulthood. Ooh Rap I Ya is a rallying call for self-determination; a reminder that we all have the power to carve out our paths in life.