Anastasia Braun, online editor of Viper Mag, on Barney Artist's Calm Down.
For me, heatwaves and the city are an unmatched combination. When the sun hits London as it has this summer, it’s hard not to feel saturated with positivity. The same can be said about the rays of rejuvenation that emanate from Barney Artist’s music.
The East London rapper has just completed a 12 month tour off the back of the 2018 release of his debut album Home Is Where The Art Is. Barney’s jazz-infused flows and striking lyricism provide an all-encompassing sound to match the London summer experience; you can feel the city through his records.
Most recently, he’s documented it on his single Calm Down, a vibrant, energetic track that’s perfectly suited to summer, when the sun casts down on late July evenings and bright August mornings.
The song is tied together with Barney’s request to, “Buss a skank, let me get your guard down”. Listening to Calm Down puts you right there next to him and it’s intoxicating. So yes, Barney, you’ve got my guard down.
