Raw Poetic

Raw Poetic — the duo of MC/lyricist Jason Moore and guitarist P-Fritz (aka Patrick Fritz) — present new single, “Dank Ish,” from their forthcoming album, Away Back In, out August 25th on Def Pressé. Following 2022’s pair of releases, the “radically optimistic endeavors” (The FADER) of Laminated Skies and the triple-album “magnum opus” (Jazziz) of Space Beyond The Solar System, Away Back In is a transcendent musical fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and garage rock, underpinned by the adroit drum programming and production of frequent collaborator Damu the Fudgemunk. “Dank Ish,” which follows the inherent tranquility of previously shared singles, “Ease In” and “Numb,  allows listeners to kick back with Raw Poetic without overthinking the woes of life. Of “Dank Ish,” Moore says, “‘Dank Ish’ was initially just a play on a friend’s name, that turned into a mystical journey back to Africa after taking a sip of a drink. What was really in the drink, who knows!”

Progressive and filled with soul, Away Back In masterfully showcases Moore’s ability to melodically narrate everyday life in the kaleidoscope of the modern world. Lyrics are seamlessly sung and spoken, guiding listeners on a dark and mellifluous journey aided by Fritz’s consistently thoughtful musical landscapes. In “Bird’s Eye,” an exploration of the chaos throughout the end of time, the guitars overdrive, creating a haunting echo, a contrasting mood to the album’s opening track. “Sometime After Midnight” questions the definition of racism in America.

Despite the density of the album’s themes, hope springs eternal in songs like lead single “Ease Side,” which reignites and re-energizes the jazz elements of the duo’s recent work: P-Fritz’s smooth guitar riffs and bass lines lay the foundation for Raw Poetic to dissect the emotions of a worry-free relationship. Elsewhere, the album’s titular track, “A Way Back In,” celebrates the long, journeyed history and friendship of Moore and Fritz, while “Human Kindness” closes out Away Back In with a stunning and optimistic look on human nature.