Even before the release of her debut project SHILOH: Lost For Words, Hackney-born rapper, producer and poet John Glacier has been a totemic force in London’s hallowed rap scene. Standout collaborations with the likes of Babyfather and LYAM instilled her promise, while her first project compounded it; a surreal, diaristic daydream through the inner-psyche of one of UK music’s most beguiling minds. Alongside becoming the face of Daniel Lee’s first global campaign for Burberry and walking for Marine Serre at Fashion Week and soundtracking Lacoste’s AW24 show, Glacier also began to gain notoriety globally, working with in-demand NY production team Surf Gang on a spontaneous collaborative project, JGSG, last year. Announcing her signing to Young (The xx/FKA twigs/Sampha) earlier this year, Glacier released a brand new project, Like A Ribbon, that exhibited a marked sonic leap. Featuring contributions from the likes of Eartheater, Flume, Kwes Darko and more, the project was a step towards an elusive artist taking a well deserved turn into the spotlight. After announcing a brand new EP titled Duppy Gun with the inner mantra of ‘Steady As I Am’, today, John Glacier releases a new track and visual, ‘Cows Come Home’.
John Glacier – Cows Come Home
The most outwardly dancefloor-facing moment of Glacier’s career so far, ‘Cows Come Home’ integrates elements of subwoofer-blowing rap, jungle and dancehall, while still creating space for John’s singular, intimate tone. A song that celebrates individuality, even when others don’t understand, ‘Cows Come Home’ embodies a claustrophobic atmosphere, as if the listener is aware of the external conversations of those who conform to social constructs and pressures. The video, directed by Yasser Abubeker (Kelela/Shygirl) reflects this tense atmosphere perfectly, casting John as an isolated figure, one that is alone with her thoughts before causing a devastating impact at a party of her own. It’s a visual that allows the viewer to dig deeper and find hidden meanings within Glacier’s words, and one that uncovers new layers within every viewing.
Released today (20th June), John Glacier’s Duppy Gun follows in the same free-form, experimental spirit of its predecessor, Like A Ribbon. Its skeleton is built upon rap, but uncovering all its layers is a richly eclectic experience. Shades of dancehall, electronic music, ambience and so much more echo throughout the project’s five tracks, providing a unique atmosphere that feels just about as personal and diaristic as we’ve heard from Glacier so far. Released on 20th June, Duppy Gun is just another chapter in that diary from John Glacier; one of the UK’s most beguiling musical talents, crafting new worlds to invite the listener into.
Praise for John Glacier:
“The producer-vocalist’s esoteric streams of consciousness mark her out as a major new voice” – The Guardian
“There’s a sense that Glacier won’t remain a hidden treasure for much longer.” – Crack
“The rapper with renegade blood whose bars contain multitudes – past, present and future” – Dazed
“John Glacier’s confessional dictaphone raps sound like intimate notes to self, intended for one listener only.” – Pitchfork
John Glacier
Duppy Gun
(Young)
Buy/stream the EP HERE
- Steady As I Am
- Grands!
- Cows Come Home
- Whole Or None
- Poster
John Glacier: Instagram
