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This week on MoveOnUp, we have the one and only 'Midwxst'. Hailing out of Indiana and a key part of the pandemic's hyperpop movement, Midwxst (real name: Edgar Nathaniel Sarratt III) has recently released his highly anticipated debut album 'E3' to raucous reviews. But what's the story behind the album? Who is E3 & who is Midwxst? Find out in our exclusive below!
A resident of the Internet & a true student of music, Sarratt's music takes from a wide range of sources and doesn't really fit into one box, genre or classification. Although that's what one thing one could say about a lot of artists who have emerged in recent years, especially with how crowded streaming platforms have become; Midwxst is the actual epitome of that.
Choosing to classify his own music under the rather vague label 'alternative music'. You could easily think from his humbleness that Sarratt's music isn't as good as it actually is. However, Sarratt expertly ties his influences into a truly unique sound that very few can replicate: pulling inspiration from 'Soundcloud' rappers like XXXTentacion & Ski Mask the Slump God; to rock influences like Green Day & A Beacon School; to what arguably ties his music altogether, the elements of EDM & electronica - inspired by artists such as Porter Robinson. Not to mention the lyrical influences from Dominic Fike & Frank Ocean, which adds a layer of sincerity to a truly diverse soundscape.
The Debut Album 'E3'
Released 1st September this year, E3 is Sarratt's christening as a feature length artist. Similar to his discography as a whole, E3 has a clear variety in its sound from its sombre elements in tracks such as 'heartache blues' and 'ready for you'; to its larger hyper songs such as 'warning' and 'pretty girls', with the latter even featuring a jazz saxophone solo in its fadeout.
Even though E3 is full of tracks that you find yourself keep on visiting; it is primarily a concept album, that through the voice of the character 'E3', touches on themes of love, conflict and growth. From its opening track 'lost', Sarratt says the album is meant to put you into a dreamlike trance, as you are taken on a journey of exploration into how the character of E3 deals with the idea of a fairytale romance going wrong.
Despite the concept, it is very clear that E3 is an alternative mouthpiece for Sarratt's own struggles. Tracks such as 'old me' and 'lights out' are particularly candid commentaries on Sarratt's relatively newfound, accidental fame, and how that has shifted relationships with those around him and his relationship with himself. To be so frank is hard, however Sarratt says that through the process of making the album he was able to talk about things that he never would be able to outside of the E3 character. Heavily influences from Porter Robinson in how he creates impactful soundtracks without necessarily using spoken word do certainly provide a punch to the mixing of this album, but it is the raw lyricism that reels you back into the ethereal dream that is E3.
Therefore, to briefly summarise what E3 is about perhaps doesn't give it much justice, as it is very much an album that peels away meaning the more you personally listen to it. Although, in my personal opinion, it does have its flaws, such as the sometimes overproduced vocals that can hinder the impact of the lyrics; it is still a very impressive & expansive piece of work from someone so young in their career. Personally, I find myself regularly relistening to the album with some of its standout tracks including:
Edgar: The Man Behind E3
Midwxst is somewhat of an outlier when it comes the rockstar, rapper or music artist prototype, especially given his size (recording over two million monthly listeners on Spotify).
Instead... reflective of the pandemic era he staked his claim to fame in; Sarratt is a humble video game nerd who usually crafts his artistry from the comfort of his own bedroom. Launching his career off his single 'Trying' in 2020 and in 2021 frequently pumping out songs he collaborated with his friends on through Discord rather than live recording studios.
Despite this, on his latest project Sarratt still found himself being in studio space around a number of industry stalwarts such as Kanye West & Justin Bieber, with notable collaborations from that being the aforementioned Hemnani as well as Charlie Heat & Kanye's Sunday Service Choir.
Nevertheless, Sarratt has not lost touch with who he is & what has made him famous. At his core, he's still the dorky social butterfly he was in high school, he's still the kid who loves to play Final Fantasy and influenced from Tyler's GOLF LE FLEUR. And you know what makes him most hyped in the whole world?
Talking about his love for Cars 2, which he did with a great big beaming smile on his face.
Getting more hyped about that, than the masterpiece he had just dropped!
That's what makes Sarratt so likeable, he's not really your typical celebrity. In a world where artists of all sizes drive to show off authenticity, Sarratt just... is.
Shaped by the endless cornfields, tractors and overall nothingness that is Indiana; Sarratt still faced an uphill battle to win his home state's approval. Endemic of the pandemic his career spawned in; Sarratt was well known around the world before he really made it in his home state. Unlike other artists & genres who grow up & partake in a real life scene, the hyperpop boom & Midwxst's first steps into the industry in the early 2020s was hosted in servers rather than venues.
Therefore it took a while for those in his 'real life' to really grasp the magnitude of his come up and the vision he had for his various projects. Sarratt even recalled telling one of his friends about an early music video shoot and how nervous he was to make it perfect, and the friend brushed him off and said "why you even doing that man? No one cares".
But Sarratt did, and the proof is in the pudding now...
The 'New Me' and beyond
In the short time between now & the end of the Coronavirus restrictions, Midwxst has performed here, there and everywhere (including his VEVO performance below, which I absolutely love). However what you're all wondering, is how did he find performing at the UK's very own Reading & Leeds festivals?
Well in short, he absolutely loved it. Sarratt spoke with amazement when describing the sheer size, energy and persistence of the UK crowds, saying how he waited until the right time to come and he could not have been more impressed.
Now if that doesn't make you like him, quite frankly I don't know what will.
But what does the future hold for Midwxst? Since we are just over a month since E3 actually released, the obvious answer is that he is about to go on tour. Unfortunately it is only North America at the moment (dates below if you're that side of the pond), but fingers crossed with the love he's already felt from the UK already he comes back again!
To finish!
Make sure to follow Midwxst on Instagram and his Spotify below
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for business / music / article enquiries: johnsoncharteris@gmail.com (Evan's email) or moveonupmuzic@gmail.com (MoveOnUp's email)
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