Heavily inspired by stories of a Christian martyr, Saint George, Bladee continues rapping about issues with drugs and feelings of lacking self-worth and yearning.
Bladee dropped a new three-song single called “Ste The Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt” April 30.
He said, in an interview with Pitchfork in February this year, he is inspired by ancient stories and books on alchemy and mysticism. He also mentioned that his next project would be Saint George-themed in some way.
Music producer and frequent collaborator with Bladee, Lusi, produces all three tracks. It is reminiscent of Bladee’s 2021 album “The Fool,” which was also largely produced by Lusi.
“Ste The Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt” sounds closer to his more hyperpop and electronic style. It isn’t a totally new sound for Bladee, but its focus on worldbuilding and its concept does make it much more unique to his previous tracks, which have a stronger focus on a vibe/theme in its sound.
Bladee’s lyricism is unmatched.
“One In A Million” sounds like the days between spring and summer when the weather is perfect, the wind feels great and everything is green and fun, life is blooming. Lyrically, it’s depressing. The self-doubt is clear, the lyric “one in a million” can be seen as having one shot at this life and being incredibly lucky in it.
“Ask Jade” is winter, but it reminds me about a couple years ago, the few years after the great plague when everything opened up and we were all allowed some freedom again. “Ask Jade” is cold. It feels like it’s yearning. But it’s still turnt.
“Assassination time” and “Lonely in the night” are a couple lines that Bladee repeats throughout the song. It’s catchy and adds to building that cold medieval world he wants to craft. It’s hopeless but there is still some thrill in living in that.
“St George The Martyr” reminds me of being in a better place, more naïve when everything tasted like candy, everything was fresh and new, but my eyes were still closed to what was really going on. I could’ve died at any moment happy and fulfilled. It’s cohesive in the feel and imagery it wants to give the listener.
It sounds similar to his previous albums “333” and “The Fool” in both its sound and its tone. Even lyrically, Bladee references medieval themes in all three previously mentioned albums.
It’s very different from his album last year, “Cold Visions,” which was a lot darker and more personal in his mindset. “Ste The Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt” is more hopeful in comparison. Watch his video for the song “One in a Million” here.
