#deathtoricky

Small but mighty 🗣️ and there is definitely a lot more , lmk if you guys want to be put on some Irish music , or send some recommendations if you have them !

Today's Song of the Day is "grateful" by deathtoricky, released in 2025 as the twelfth track from his album #ikfly. You can find the Song of the Day on Spotify and Apple Music.

"grateful" is a trappy plugg song whose subbass roars in your ears while ricky deftly dances over the beat. I've been saying this a lot lately but we have some really remarkable, snappy snare rolls which are in my opinion greatly elevated by being relegated to the background for most of the song, which makes the actual rolling bits that much more valuable; the same could be said for the triangle hits throughout. The vocal sample is very playful and while it is also sent to sit in the back of the class it contributes to a very full and satisfying beat.

Somehow, the vocals of this song are the foreground of the track, and it works. ricky's bars are pretty empty and unimportant, but I guess it's just his autotuned flow which is frankly angelic in its beauty. Short segment here today because I have little else to say.

deathtoricky is an artist I discovered when I tried to find Irish hip hop, and he didn't disappoint. I've listened to a lot of his catalog now, and he relatively consistently impresses with his jerky, pluggy music, although occasionally he will misstep (see spring cleaning). Go Ireland.

R8 – Dawn Chorus Review (6/10/26)

R8's debut production album feels less like a traditional compilation and more like a carefully constructed experience. From the moment the project begins, the transitions are so smooth and intentional that the album often feels like one long song broken into chapters rather than a collection of individual tracks.

One of the biggest strengths of Dawn Chorus is its pacing. Every feature feels purposeful and every transition feels earned. Nosaint delivers some of the strongest moments on the project and consistently stands out throughout the runtime. "Sak Pase" in particular, co-produced with Patrick, may genuinely be my favorite Nosaint performance to date.

Another highlight comes from UK artist Deathtoricky, who makes his debut appearance on "Holiday." What makes the moment so special is how naturally his vocals transition into the chorus of "Unfortunate." Even listeners already familiar with Nine Vicious' original version may find themselves caught off guard by how seamlessly the songs blend together. It's one of the best examples of the project's attention to detail.

Track 4, "Dawn Chorus," serves as a centerpiece for the album. The appearance from the multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Levesque known for work alongside Ye, Drake, Young Thug, Yeat and many others gives the project room to breathe. The song encourages the listener to sit back and appreciate the production before smoothly guiding them back into another strong Nosaint performance.

Throughout the album, R8 proves that he understands sequencing, atmosphere and cohesion at a level many producers never reach. The project never feels rushed, overcrowded or directionless. Instead, every song contributes to a larger narrative and sonic journey.

What impressed me most is that there are genuinely no skips. Every feature serves a purpose, every transition enhances the experience and every production choice feels intentional.

Dawn Chorus feels like a breath of fresh air. It's ambitious without being overwhelming, polished without feeling sterile and experimental without sacrificing replay value.

10/10

A breath of fresh air.