After three years of organic collaboration, artist Callum and producer Filip have unveiled their ambitious debut album Slow Progress, a genre-defying project born from spontaneous jam sessions and honed in Filip’s DIY home studio. What began when “Filip picked up a guitar and I just freestyled – we immediately clicked,” as Callum recalls, evolved into a twelve-track exploration of early adulthood’s emotional landscape, where alternative hip-hop foundations interweave with soulful R&B grooves and unexpected rock inflections.
The album opens with “Do It Like This,” a raw hip-hop manifesto where minimalist yet impactful instrumentation provides the perfect backbone for Callum’s razor-sharp lyricism and natural cadence. This leads into “Laidback Freestyle,” showcasing their versatility as the tempo relaxes into calm rhythms while maintaining lyrical precision. Tracks like “Evil Schemes” and “Borderline” demonstrate their fearless genre-blending, incorporating distorted guitar solos and melodic hooks that feel simultaneously rebellious and meticulously crafted.
What makes Slow Progress truly distinctive is its creative process – many tracks originated as freestyles, with melodies and flows emerging organically before lyrics crystallized. This approach preserves an electric spontaneity throughout, whether on the rock-tinged confessionals or the smooth R&B vibes of “The Real Thing.” Influences from Mac Miller’s introspection, Notorious B.I.G.’s storytelling, and Dominic Fike’s genre fluidity resonate, yet the duo carves out a sound entirely their own.
“We refused to rush this,” Callum emphasizes, explaining their three-year journey to refine the album’s emotional authenticity. That same deliberate care now fuels their preparations for live performances, with rehearsals underway to translate Slow Progress’s layered intimacy to the stage. As Callum notes, “Some tracks might need multiple listens to fully land, but those often become the ones that stay with you forever.”
More than just a debut, Slow Progress shows artistic patience – a project where homegrown production, unfiltered lyricism, and musical curiosity collide. It’s now available across all platforms, inviting listeners into Callum and Filip’s unfiltered creative world.
The opener “Do It Like This” immediately establishes the project’s raw hip-hop core with its minimalist yet potent instrumentation and Callum’s effortless flow. “Laidback Freestyle” shifts gears into jazz-rap territory, demonstrating their dynamic range. The album’s boldest experiments emerge in tracks like “Evil Schemes” with its rock energy and “Borderline” where sung hooks collide with fiery guitar solos, while “The Real Thing” offers smooth R&B respite. Throughout, Callum’s lyricism – by turns introspective, witty, and vulnerable – remains the guiding force.
Now Streaming: Experience the full evolution of Slow Progress on all platforms:open.spotify.com/album/36S
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