We've been following the Aussie rapper, 360, ever since he popped up on PEZ's feel-good jam, "The Festival Song", which was released over six years ago. After this, 360 impressed us again with a promising mixtape, Please Be Seated 2, that foreshadowed his phenomenally successful studio album, Falling and Flying. The project went platinum, scored a #4 spot on the ARIA charts, and landed on our Best Albums of 2011 list. Now, 360's back with a brand new full-length album, Utopia, and it's undoubtedly the artist's biggest release to date. Utopia opens with "Still Rap", a brilliant introduction that firmly establishes 360's unyielding persistence, as he declares that all of his work is done in pursuit of his ideal lifestyle. The instrumental consists of multiple electronic elements that complement a set of piano chords and choir vocals, creating an energetic, yet slightly shadowy vibe. Following shortly is "Man on the Moon", a song that acts as a collection of 360's confessions and aspirations overtop a body of piano chords, electronic, and a heavy drum beat, all of which contribute to the song's main theme: to live greatly within the moment, rather than dwell on the past. 360 switches up the album's feel with "Purple Waterfall", a track that astonishes with remarkable production and a captivating chorus supplied by Daniel Johns. A wavy set of fluctuating synths coasts alongside hard-hitting kicks, electronic percussion, and celestial pads. Next, 360 reconnects with his long-time associate, PEZ, on the intense, somewhat dark offering, "Must Come Down", and the effort is another first-rate collaboration between the two, as they display their unmistakable chemistry by rotating off lines throughout the verses. Our final pick from the project is "Early Warning", and it might be the heaviest song of the bunch, centered around one of his peer's codeine addiction. Throughout the piece, 360 uses his storytelling abilities to string together a thought-provoking tale, which occasionally branches off to a melancholy chorus from Chris Cheney. Conclusively, Utopia is a polished collection of several important themes and occurrences from 360's life, and it's probably the most superior work the artist has created yet. If you live in Australia, you can purchase the entire album on iTunes, and if you don't, you can stream our favorites down below.
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