Melding a longtime love for hip-hop with a tendency for memorable pop-ready hooks, Cartman captivates throughout his debut album, Waves. The Denver-based artist, who is originally from the Midwest and began his career as a rap artist, excels with a wonderfully dynamic sound — ranging from the trickling acoustic-led introspections within “Tonight” to the punchy, anthemic pop effervescence of “From Me.” The ability to craft both immersive hip-hop flows and ear-catching melodic twists/turns reminds aesthetically of Mac Miller, who is amongst Cartman’s biggest influences.
Opening the album, “Gold” infuses steady acoustics and clanging keys amidst sporadic vocal harmonies and contemplative lead. Ruminations on how “good times don’t ever last,” and the fleeting nature of life exude a carpe-diem sentimentality, being strongly impactful despite a concise minute-long runtime. The ensuing “Tonight” eases into serene acoustics and bouncier rhythmic elements, leading into a smitten sense — “when I’m with you, my head be doing spin moves,” — and subsequent yearning “do not let me go.” The vocal tonal shifts between sentimental and ardent proclamations consume, as do the lush backing harmonies. The album’s opening one-two punch showcases a tendency for affecting, sincere songcraft that cohesively balances pop, hip-hop, and alternative.
Playful synths and an exuberantly anthemic vocal center stir on “Lucid,” with the “I can’t stop now!” ethos invigorating alongside the pulsing bass entrancement. The verses flow with a hip-hop enamoring as the illuminated synths complement throughout. The multi-vocal enthusiasm in the “lose it,” hook is replay-inducing in its colorful vigor. Coming next, “From Me” succeeds in another aesthetical realm, where jangly guitars and dreamy backing vocals complement lyrical perspectives on personal growth and growing older. Additional vocals from Elena Collins add a melodic, soaring quality that diversifies enjoyably from the “stuck in a daze,” admissions in the verses, while the jangling guitars emit a hypnotic glistening throughout.
Another highlight, “Fade Away” dazzles in its structural momentum from subdued bass-heavy intrigue into shimmering nighttime-set synths. “I feel like I could fade away,” emotive vocal layers envelop into a gorgeous starry-eyed synth emphasis during the “catch a new wave,” aspirations. Waves succeeds across both punchy charisma and more atmospheric mood-setters, with “Fade Away” being an especially great example of the latter (while still being catchy and charismatic in its title-touting allure). The album’s second half continues to impress, notably in the moody brass-touched feelings of “Outside” — another Mac Miller-like ear-catcher — and finale “Surfin’,” where heartrending strings and solemn synths venture into the fervent “running on fumes,” sequence. Waves is a thorough success of a debut from Cartman.
