On Music…
I first discovered tobi lou’s music two years ago when the Chicago artist released his tobi lou and the Moon EP. The three songs were bubbling with life and the “Joy of Cartoons,” as I expressed in my DJBooth headline for our subsequent interview. During our talk, tobi lou was vibrant and full of jeer. He sounded rife with happiness and in an era where COVID and civil unrest rage through our world, I find myself returning to tobi lou’s music more and more. There’s so much merit to feel-good music, how it offers up an element of resistance from the general depression of the times. Of course happiness is radical. Of course taking a few minutes every day to smile for your own good is radical. The systems at play want us broken and dejected—artists like tobi lou fight this scheme at every turn.
Back in 2018, tobi told me: “I used to rap in class for my classmates and just freestyle and make up funny lines. My thing would just be to try and put my name into every song, my full name. I would just make up silly shit and just always put my name in it. It was really stupid.” Of course, he was downplaying his musical prowess. I’m sure his early stuff was great, but within this nugget is a special truth: tobi lou is here to make you happy. He’s here for a good time in the face of collective adversity. His music is the furthest thing from hot air, because it’s roots in self-expression and emotional gratification make it a necessity for all-time.
“A lot of times, I lose myself in being sad, kinda happy yet kinda sad,” tobi lou said. “Just like damn, what am I? I’m both. That’s why I try to find mediums of a happy-sounding beat so I can get the sad shit out and even vice versa.” Within that self-awareness of the nuance of life is tobi lou’s magic. His music isn’t overtly thunderous in nature, but it feels massive in your headphones. Every jitter and electronic pop gives way to tobi lou’s inviting vocal timbre. He deals in pastel shades and enchants with his airy and uncluttered delivery. Below, you’ll find my three favorite tobi lou songs. Each of them holds a special place in my heart, and see constant play.
“TROOP” ft. Smino
The music video speaks for itself. tobi lou sounds so enthused with his own sound. He’s having a blast and it rubs off on the listener and watcher in equal measure. “Bitch, I think I’m cute,” he announces. It’s precious. It’s precisely what we need in the COVID-19 era.
“SOLANGE”
This song was made to quit your job to. The visualizer is so fun, much like all of tobi lou’s media. The full song runs at close to five minutes of quotables and promises of bright, sunny days and better times ahead.
“Darlin’”
A little more jazzy, a little more relaxed, and with an irresistible syncopation, “Darlin’” is one of tobi lou’s best songs. It proves he can play at all sorts of BPMs, over all sorts of plush soundscapes, and as the raindrops keep falling, tobi lou stands tall and fuck it, he’s gorgeous.