Westbay drops new record ‘Spread More Love’

Brooklyn-based artist Westbay has been a long-standing presence in the music industry for over two decades. His journey began in 2004 with the release of his debut single “Loss of Innocence,” which marked the start of a decade filled with well-received singles, an EP and his debut full-length album, Spread Love.

This record showcased a unique blend of impactful East Coast rhymes and hard-hitting production, firmly placing Westbay on the map of exciting artists in the hip hop scene. Now, after a decade-long hiatus, Westbay makes his emphatic return with his sophomore album, Spread More Love.

Brimming with his insightful lyrical flair, Westbay’s music continues to connect deeply with his audience. His return was inevitable; like any true artist, he’s got more to say and more to give and aims to provide a musical respite for listeners tired of everyday struggles, hoping to offer something real and possibly some answers, all while ensuring they have fun along the way.

Kicking off the LP with “Spectacle,” produced by UK-based Ozzie Beats, the album starts with the shimmering stretch of synth tones before Westbay’s commanding vocalisations raise the tension with powerful spoken word delivery. Launching with the rattle of a trap style beat, vocal punchy lay down catchy hooks over the enveloping arrangement to craft an anthemic track that sees the artist spread slick rapped flows to deliver a powerful and memorable sound to immediately set the bold tone of the album.

“Runaway” sees Westbay link with Saint James on a bouncy rap outing cut with moody guitar crunches and the thumping patter of drums. Razor-sharp vocals ride above to spin rapid bars carrying compelling lyricism as the track shifts into an infectious chorus of smooth melodic vocal leads on this uptempo track that puts the versatility and collaborative spirit of Westbay on full full display.

On “Bring the Love Back,” Westbay crystallises his return with an intense alternative hip hop sound driven by grooving beats and bright vocal samples. His biting vocal performance creates an energising listening experience that serves up a thrilling artistic statement about his revived musical endeavour.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “Gangsta” with its hazy downtempo sound of pitched vocal samples and gentle clicked rhythms before launching into a brooding aesthetic of dark instrumentation and pounding drums. With his trademark vocal flourishes presenting a gripping sound, the ebb and flow provides elegant rise and fall between the distant echoes of female vocal lines, resulting in a superb jam full of twists and turns.

Produced by Rhythm J, “Clouds” casts another anthemic sound of gritty synth layers and the mighty strike of drums which underpin Westbay’s enthralling vocal work. Flowing between stripped back vocal-driven moments and the lofty smack of full arrangement, it’s an invigorating hip hop banger that sees the artist deliver a sound to rival anything else out there.

Final track “Young King” offers one last burst of immersive instrumentation and robust percussion above which Westbay threads epic angsty vocals, forming a spectacular finale to his sensational new record. From start to finish, Spread More Love is entertaining and exhilarating, wrapped up in exquisite production and brought to life by incredible vocals.

With another record titled O.L.D. set to drop imminently and a behind the scenes documentary on the horizon, fans won’t have to wait long for their next dose of Westbay’s musical output. “Spread More Love just scratches the surface on this next chapter. And I’m glad to say that the story continues because the follow-up is already in the works,” he shares.

Spread More Love is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms via Dope Rush Records.

Listen to Spread More Love below