One artist I’ve discovered that’s been on steady rotation for me in 2024 is Scro. The guitarist, vocalist, and producer has amassed a considerable following on Instagram and TikTok, but never got recommended to me algorithmically on other conventional social media or Spotify. But one listen of “Is This What You Wanted” and I was captivated from the start. Scro’s ability to rip tapping riffs that would make Origami Angel sweat, add so many layers of production that FL Studio should crash every 5 minutes, and top it all with impassioned vocals culminates into bingeworthy discography listens. An artist that frequently collaborates, Scro enlisted Underbelly, who’s behind the YouTube channel You Suck At Producing, to team up in a new EP, scrobelly. With DJ Underbelly’s input, this looks like a formula for an intricate, evocative listen. How does this one turn out?
Just as expected, Scro and Underbelly lay it on HEAVY with the production twists and tricks. Intertwining melodies, percussive elements, and steady beats, most of the offerings on scrobelly create a soundscape that bursts at the seams with headphone listens to fully capture the busy proceedings. Scro adds a twinkly midwest-emo tap riff here and there, and when songs like “i lay here” pay off with a guitar solo, it’s peak Scro/Underbelly. Compared to earlier Scro’s vocals, he’s made significant process in his vocal delivery, too – screams are improved and so is enunciation to complement his guitar prowess. With so much going on at once, what Underbelly adds to the equation can’t be understated, either; Scro was adept with production, but the hyperpop moments prevalent in tracks like “leave me” are just as enthralling as the post-hardcore ones in “i guess i’m alone” on scrobelly.
Exhibiting their range across all seven songs, scrobelly is certain to be a hidden gem in 2024. Best experienced in an immersed headphones listen, Scro is as enthused with the final product as I am: “this EP is truly something special. me and underbelly put a lot of time and creativity into it and the whole project is so diverse and focused. i hope u are all excited for it”. Scro embarks on their first tour this April, supporting Julia Wolf. In the meantime, check out scrobelly if you’re keen on unique genre blends and masterful music production.
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