Dreamy lo-fi keys and mellow rhythms back up softly spoken, conscious and captivating bars, as The C!rcle gets poetic and personal, throughout the beautifully moving realism and charm of 3ft From Gold.
The sweetness and shoulder-swaying optimism of Loving You starts things off well – an impassioned voice, sharp rhymes and a satisfying resolve each time the bars come to meet the central concept.
It’s a strong start but track 3 For Good is undoubtedly a personal highlight afterwards – something about the lyrical build up, the rising intensity, the introduction of the beat and the subsequently soulful RnB groove for the hook. This track is timeless and jazz-kissed with its piano refrains, but it’s also lyrically original in a way that compels you to listen closely, and that’s something The C!rcle appears to be a master of.
Bigger vibes inject a little energy and a catchy flow, as Mood! rightfully boosts the mood of the room. Always C!rcle maintains this smart and original storytelling framework and rhyme scheme that keeps you interested. Pronouns is catchy, contemporary, stylish and memorable – a conceptual intrigue that connects cleverly with how infectious the repeating chorus of ‘I am him’ is..
Seventeen tracks in full make up 3ft From Gold the album. Certain moments are more distinct than others, some are more thoughtful, some committed to soulful grooves and a vibe above all else.
Lil Experiment is smooth and suggestive in its satisfying and catchy state, Palms is emotionally intense and awakening, How Stupid is This? is performative and seems to take influence form the US rappers of more recent decades than anything lo-fi or Four Owls-esque, but versatility is key to this project’s appeal, and so too is the flawless and immersive, likable nature of the production.
Some final highlights include Almost Home and Smile, but in truth 3ft From Gold is a journey worth listening to in full – the quality is high, the emotions and moods diverse, the stories relatable yet interesting, and the vibe consistently engaging for music fans seeking that something nostalgic but conceptually fresh from modern hip hop and chillout.
Find The C!rcle on on Instagram & X.
