Mixtape Review: Rushes - Glowchild

After the release of Rushes’ acclaimed debut EP Glimpse, the emerging Irish star stole away from Cork to write songs between Dublin, Berlin and London. After returning to his hometown, the singer reconnected with his Skibbereen roots and produced his debut mixtape in the form of Glowchild. It’s a deep dive into the mind of the artist as he ponders his innermost feelings in gorgeous, intricate pop songs - all in under 30 minutes. The singer first emerged in his 2018 with his single 'Liquor' and the alt-pop artist has gone from strength to strength since then.

‘Blue Ghost’ baptises the album - beginning with a tender synth playing a repetitive melody before Rushes’ vocals kick in. “Finding balance in emotion if we have to go together / Won’t you remember everything like you’ve been looking back forever?” he sings before soaring strings are added along with a distorted, high-pitched voice singing 'Blue Ghost'. The song takes flight in the chorus with Rushes’ slightly distorted falsetto and the swelling instrumentation. It then picks up as the drums come in and Rushes explores an ecstasy-fuelled love story over the super-sweet instrumentation. It’s an instant grab with the sugary production and Rushes’ beautiful vocals knitting together exceptionally.

‘Funds’ follows and picks up the tempo with a drum beat featuring flickering hi-hats and a syncopated kick drum. Against the staccato strings that sound like they're underwater, it creates momentum in the track that becomes more of a bop as it progresses. The bass line in the chorus is the highlight in this track - it injects bounce and some intricate licks to give the track some flavour. Rushes also shows his eye for detail here with a sparkling, high-pitched sound effect lingering in the background in the track. It’s barely noticeable but gives the track its unique feel.

On ‘Feeling Like’ Rushes, AKA Sean Walsh teams up with Jafaris over a psychedelic beat reminiscent of Travis Scott’s Astroworld. The reversed synth tracks and hard-hitting drum beat creates a spacey and trippy atmosphere. The chorus explodes with Rushes’ infectious hook and the repetitive, piercing strings lifting the track. Jafaris offers his vocal chops to the track and sits in the pocket of the spacey soundscape with a flawless performance imbued with rasp to give some depth to the recording.

Lead single ‘Lost in Therapy’ sees the talented electro hip-hop artist at his most introspective throughout the album. “Wallow in pity and self destruction,” he croons in the first line, immediately making the listener’s ears prick up. Over the jazz-inspired piano drenched in reverb and flange, Rushes sets a moody tone for one of the more mellow cuts on the record. The drums before the chorus are a nice touch and breathe more vibrancy into the chorus. It features a Bootsy Collins type guitar that’s plucky, woozy and bouncy. The highlight of this track is the way Rushes smoothly meanders through his innermost thoughts: “I can still regret decisions / I should take back what I’m missing / I don’t see the love around me / All I need’s an intervention.” He sing-raps in the second verse.

Every aspect of Glowchild is carefully thought out in every respect. The production is gorgeous and combines elements of pop, R&B, hip-hop and Jazz without being tethered down to any of them. Rushes shows his ability to write personal and vulnerable songs under infectious beats on his debut album without compromising on meaning and appeal. But the greatest triumph of Glowchild is Rushes’ ability to look inward and make personal issues relatable. And there is still more to come from Walsh and Glowchild, with the video for 'Lost in Therapy' slated to drop next Thursday (September 16).

Recommended Song: ‘Feeling Like’ - feat. Jafaris.

Rating: 7/10.

Listen to Glowchild below.