The Boy who cried Terrified: EP Review

Essex’s own, Fakemink, has become a centerpiece for culture and musical excellence over the past year, following the release of his breakout single, “Easter Pink.” Despite recent controversies—ranging from grievances with other artists to allegations of inauthenticity or pretension—Fakemink has remained focused on a vision that’s just now beginning to reveal itself. As he gears up for the release of his debut album, Terrified, an EP titled The Boy who cried Terrified, has touched down after being announced just six days ago.

Sitting at seven tracks in length, this EP is concise without feeling limited and still has something for everyone. The intro track, “Blow The Speakers .,” has a familiar and inviting atmosphere with production from Wraith9 that eases listeners into Mink’s world. The following track, “Young Millionaire .,” is produced by Mink himself with a sample flip of Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” via Flawed Mangoes. The next three tracks, all produced by Mink alongside Moustafa Moustafa, mark a shift toward a more left-of-field sound where Mink experiments with vocal layering, singing, and unconventional composition. My favorite and the most effective of these experimental tracks being “Mr Chow .,” which pairs a convivial, almost celebratory theme in the production which will leave an impression come show time. The final two tracks, “Milk & Honey .,” produced by Wraith9, and “fml .,” produced by Cranes, both settle the EP emotionally offering a calm and introspective solution to it’s earlier exuberance.

Fakemink has never shied away from emotional transparency and tends to do so in a way which builds empathy or even reflects onto listeners through his writing. This EP holds that statement to be true. Fakemink dives into themes of pride, ambition, success, solitude, gratitude, and more. Mink is one of this generations strongest writers and story tellers and continues to demonstrate his strength in this EP using vulnerability as a connective force.

After countless listens, I still feel the same way that I did after the first in that I am ecstatic for the album. This EP acts as an effective reminder of why Fakemink has seen so much recent praise as well as a peek into the overall vision and world he is building. That vision being a collage of grandeur, fantasy, and the relatable yet harsh reality of life that we use music to help cope with.

Rating: 5/5