Felly‘s new album just dropped, and it marks a milestone for the young phenom. His previous album, Surf Trap, was an out-of-the-box smash that pushed him into the limelight as something certifiably fresh. With a goal in mind of wanting to truly connect with himself, Felly set out to craft Mariposa.
Off the bat, you can tell that this isn’t strictly just a rap album. If you only considered Felly to be a rapper before, that now has changed. Felly is now an artist, a musician. He lays down more than a few slick bars on Mariposa, but he also shines with his singing, his production, and his own instrumentation. Mariposa is the project that marked the most significant growth for Felly as an artist, and we can’t wait to see where it takes him.
Felly was kind enough to sit down with us and answer some questions about the album. Check out Mariposa below, as well as our interview with the man himself. Enjoy!
Felly – Mariposa
After the success of such a unique album like Surf Trap, in what direction did you want to take your distinct sound for Mariposa? What have you learned?
After Surf Trap, my perspective of a good record changed a lot. I started to get more connected with myself, went through more shit, and allowed myself to feel things. “Successful” music for me now is the music that is closest to my true self. Obviously people are ever-changing. But with Mariposa I feel like my soul was able to get something out that it’s long awaited.
Is there a certain moment on your upcoming album that you’re most proud of?
I’m most excited for people to hear Mariposa’s instrumentation. I played almost everything – guitar, bass, produced a lot of it. Only on a few of the records did someone else make the beat. That’s sort of why it feels like me, cause each detail is. On Surf Trap I didn’t really make any of the beats – maybe one or two.
Is a day in the life of Felly as chill as your music? We’ve been vibing to this project all day. Especially loving “Something Restless.”
No, haha. I always think it’s wild when people message me and say things like that. ‘how are you always so happy?’ I’m like, are you serious? I think I like to speak good things into existence because I think words have incredible power, so I don’t love to use them negatively. Maybe that’s why people think I’m all sunshine and roses. But I honestly get very dark very often, like all humans. “Something Restless” is sort of about being restless in my thoughts, in my past, & in my whole career. It’s a reflection on what the fuck just happened the past 8 years?
If you could play a set anywhere in the world, with no restrictions, where would it be?
I would play on the beach in Jamaica.
What’s your current dream collab?
Dream collab would be with Kid Cudi/MixedbyAli/ and Justin Vernon.
What’s the best party you’ve been to in LA so far?
Haha, the parties in LA all sort of blend into this boring blur. I think the best party would be the one I’ve been trying to figure out how to have. I really want to throw a party on the beach during a full moon. But I guess in LA you can’t drink on the beach or some bullshit. But I think this city is sleeping on using the beaches for partying. That would be…very fun.
What’s the first thing you’re going to do after Mariposa drops?
Hmmm, I’ll probably go down to Melrose and buy my friends some shit. I don’t really view it as my big day that shit makes life awkward. I just want people to listen and feel something.