It isn’t very often we get “black R. Stevie Moore’s” in our lifetime, but if anyone is here to rise to the challenge, it’s Columbus, Ohio’s Winston Hightower.
Known to be a part of Midwestern music scene, Winston Hightower’s musical output since 2025 vows to tackle that of Ariel Pink’s with his adventurous take on indie rock. His K Records debut Winston Hytwr is more of a Best-of when it comes to his releases. A lot of songs came from either previous releases or that of out-of-print releases. For example, we have the post-punk mover “Insubordination Rules”, whose lyrics confront the listener about their commitment to maintaining this world better. “Are you gonna be the one who ends the tragedy begun among the ones who run all the spaces and leave them all with egg on faces/or choke?” asks Winston.
More examples to pay attention to is the funky desert psychedelia of “Wainbow” and “Blind Pig”, a raw and headnoddin’ rap track with extraterrestrial keys and a baseline that assists in the track’s funkiest vibes. “O N O” somehow takes Midwest emo and drowns it in the crunchiest shoegaze known to man in two minutes and some change. By this point, a dance party might ensue if the dreamy four-on-the-floor disco “TF” comes on. (You’ll be a bit disappointed in how short it is, though.)
It may be due to the album’s compilation vibes, but if there is something to remember, it’s to not have expectations on what songs may sound like. Just know the ingenuity and creativity will both surprise you and keep you hooked on what this songwriter has next down the pike.
Written by mynameisblueskye
