Slater, aka Head Honcho Slater, member of Vada Vada Collective, released his first single since 2021 titled "Burnt". Once again, Long Beach proves it's home to the most coveted uncut musical gems.
Southern California has always been a breeding ground for the musically exceptional. Long Beach in particular has been home to deities like Frank Ocean, Snoop Dogg, and Sublime, just to name a few. Yesterday, Long Beach’s very own Slater, released “Burnt”, the artist’s first release of 2022. An underground favorite for the past decade, those who have an ear for phenomenal local talent have surely been aware of Slater for some time. Also known as Head Honcho Slater, the SoCal native gained widespread attention in the early 2010’s when he posted his SoundCloud tracks “10 Toez For Da Hoez”, “Charles Bronson”, and “You Already Know” to Tumblr. The internet was introduced to Slater’s alternative, psychedelic surf rock sound and hasn’t been able to get enough since. The artist is also a member of the Vada Vada collective, a group of Southern Californian creatives working together, founded by twins Wyatt and Fletcher Shears in 2011. The group also consists of members Enjoy, The Garden, Cowgirl Clue, Lumina, and more.
“Burnt”, released yesterday, was my first introduction to Slater. Immediately, I was drawn to to the distorted, reverb saturated guitar, which made me feel as if I was listening to the guitarist from below the surface. Any chance I can pretend I’m submerged in a cool body of water I will do so. The bassline is killer, providing the perfect rhythm, groove, and structure to let the free, psychedelic spirit of the guitars run wild. The drums are in the style of UK garage, a personal favorite musical trend of mine that we’ve all been hearing lately. The song progresses wonderfully and naturally, with the lyrics communicating an air of self-realization mixed with coastal skater kid angst. The outro switches the vibe, bringing in a heavily distorted brass instrument, then Slater’s vocal becomes more aggressive and excited as he delivers his final verse, followed by a synthesizer that's reminiscent of the moog found in the iconic "California Love" by Tupac. A complete 10/10 in Pookie's book. Recently closing out his American Tour, make sure you keep your ears and eyes peeled on Slater and his upcoming shows.
07/25
Slater
Pookie Los Angeles
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