yU “Dreams” ft. Danedra Rowell [DOPE!]

The A-side of the next installment in Mello Music Group’s 7” Series comes from Diamond District/1978er producer/emcee yU. The gruff DMV MC is known for philosophical street rap but “Dreams” takes a different route – the result a hauntingly beautiful track likely to end up on repeat.

Enlisting Danedra Rowell on vocals, yU eschews the new age boom-bap that got him noticed for something closer to all of our heartstrings. Featuring no rapped bars, “Dreams” is a bittersweet ballad that is less literal than emotive. It captures that late-night, pensive feeling us music heads are very familiar with. yU is able to craft a sound that is universal and hyper-local, breaking new ground for himself musically. The drums sound like they could be on any Diamond District-related project but the melody and chords don’t sound too far from something that could find its way onto radio.

Peeling back yet another layer of sound from his extensive pallet, yU is proving his versatility as a musician. “Dreams” along with the b-side “Prior Days” officially comes out on limited edition (300 copies only) vinyl 7” this Tuesday – though it is shipping early from MMG now!