NEW MUSIC CRITIQUESBarely Legal

Contact: beatrice@empktpr.com

Web: Spotify

Seeking: Booking, Film/TV, DistributionStyle: Rap, Hip-Hop

Tampa four-piece hip-hop “boy band” Barely Legal pick up where Brockhampton and N*E*R*D* left off, with an electric mix of hype, harmony and personalities. After hearing “Killing All the Fun,” album opener on the Barely Legal Tapes, Vol. 2, a cool R&B track, filled with skits, synths, sound pads and smooth vocals, we wanted to hear more, which doesn’t always happen. “Watch Ya Head” has big Pharrell energy, especially in the building refrain. Each rapper makes a stellar appearance, and then passes the mic. Demonstrating versatility, the mood changes on “Catapult,” a downright bitter, depressing song about an ex, that offsets the heaviness and anger with jazz guitar and lounge vibraphones. Barely Legal are rising stars.