The Grand Rapids producer’s latest, globally inspired concept album topped all regional albums on the July chart. See what other Michigan artists made the chart and listen to tracks from all of the releases.
‘Keeping Things Diverse’: Pablo Eskobear’s latest release boasts an international theme. (Courtesy Photo/J Darling)
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As Grand Rapids producer and drummer Pablo Eskobear put it, he wanted to create a concept album with “music that stands outside the norm.”
“This album is ‘my take’ on trap beats and I wanted it to consist of tracks that could stand on their own as instrumentals,” he said of “Trapped in the Forest,” described as “a bit different” than his previous releases.
“I like keeping things diverse so I always challenge myself to make music that stands outside the norm. Each track has a unique theme. I sampled stuff from all over the world including Mexico, Colombia, Russia, Ukraine, Japan and the U.S. There’s a couple feel-good high-energy tracks and a few very hard hitting dark beats.”
That unique project caught the ear of listeners and radio programmers, making “Trapped in the Forest” the No. 1 album on July’s Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart, representing the releases by Michigan artists that received the most airplay last month at Grand Rapids’ WYCE (88.1 FM).
It’s the second time Pablo Eskobear has topped the chart: His “Pool Parties EP” was the No. 1 album on the chart for January 2023.
“I wasn’t sure how this was going to be received, especially on the radio as this isn’t typical stuff anyone would expect to hear,” he conceded. “But I’m very pleased to hear people are digging it.”
The album topped Kalamazoo hip-hop cellist Jordan Hamilton’s most recent release, “Project Freedom,” the No. 1 album for June, as well as new recordings from West Michigan artists The Wild Honey Collective, RyneShyne, Major Murphy and Earth Radio.
The inspiration and themes for Pablo Eskobear’s latest release range from “a Ukrainian evil choir sample” to “blues from the deep South” to the Russian mob.
“It was a ton of fun, some of the songs started as a joke with me and my longtime friend and guitarist James Townshend, then actually turned out to be really cool,” he said. “I think it’s important to mess around, and try new things because ultimately that’s how some of my best music is made.”
He’s already working on “a short EP” and has started “slowly working on a new live set,” though it’s uncertain when he might debut that show.
“I’m producing quite a few local artists right now, so it can be hard to find the time to put my live set together,” he said. “Ultimately, producing has been my first priority, so the live show will come when I’m ready.”
Listen to tracks from all of the Hot Top 5 releases below and check out previous charts here.
LOCAL SPINS HOT TOP 5 CHART ON SPOTIFY: July 2024
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