: Highlighting his struggle with paralyzing anxiety over a trudging drum loop.

: The production features a murky, lo-fi aesthetic with heavy jazz and soul samples. Over 14 different producers contributed, including vets like Preservation and Messiah Musik .

is AKAI SOLO’s 2022 debut on the Backwoodz Studioz label, executive produced by billy woods. The album is described by AKAI himself as a "self-wandering through various self-engineered hells searching for the silver lining". Why This Album Stands Out

: The record is peppered with references to anime ( Mob Psycho 100 ), manga, and video games, as well as an entire track dedicated to the Japanese philosopher Miyamoto Musashi .

: True to his "SOLO" name, AKAI goes mostly alone on the mic. The only guest appearance is by the duo Armand Hammer (billy woods and ELUCID) on the final track, "Upper Room". Key Tracks to Check Out

: AKAI uses a nimble, purposeful flow to navigate complex themes like existential anxiety, self-critique, and the pursuit of growth after making "foolish decisions".

: An opening tribute that credits Kid Cudi as a major existential influence.

: A standout track where AKAI explores perseverance through exhaustion.