By Oliver Heffron

The emerging, independent Murfreeboro MC $avvy shows why he’s been building a local buzz, presenting a diverse musical portrait on his new project POOR. Expanding his sound into different pockets of R&B and trap with his own experimental touches, the project exemplifies $avvy’s potential to be a breakout star in alternative rap/r&b. $avvy combines effortless yet engaging lyricism with harmonic yet-experimental production. His voice anchors a diverse exploration of different genres and influences which incorporate flashes of experimentation, ASMR-worthy percussion, and carefully constructed basslines. 

Putting on for his city and his collective (Database) $avvy has grown his following with an impressive debut album, Boys Wear Pearls, and catchy singles like “Calling it Quits” and “Bag/Purse (feat. Mike Floss).” Tracks like “Spain” encapsulate the potential of his sound as layers of subtle complexities surround the beat with vibrancy as $avvy centers and humanizes the song with his hilarious and catchy chorus about being in “Spain…with no s.” 

POOR marks growth and expansion in $avvy’s music, reaching into more genres instrumentally and vocally on the sophomore effort while retaining his individual experimental flourishes and lyrical charisma. The project’s opener, “CALL,” feels like opening the front door on a beautiful Saturday morning. $avvy rides effortlessly over the instrumental’s optimistic bounce of blossoming strings, guitars, woodwinds, and fuzzy 808, lyrically looking at himself in the mirror with a proud smile before offering himself as a line of support on the titular chorus: “You can call my number, baby.”  It’s a sonically irresistible and thematically fitting thesis for POOR’s sound and this point in $avvy’s burgeoning career. He realizes his potential and offers his music as a refreshing line of release to his listeners. There’s literally a number, (615) 915-0565, for fans to call and leave a message. 

POOR’s tracklist showcases an array of genres and influences while remaining within $avvy’s sonic pocket with experimental touches and the MC’s unique lyricism. “CRUCIAL” opens the moshpit with Three 6 Mafia-style chants and a hard-hitting trap beat which $avvy wields with charismatic quips about frugality, reversing the usual flex about unattainable excess into a relatable certification of what constitutes living within a tight financial situation. Tracks like “JANSPORT (feat. Neeko Crowe)” and “TERIKAKI (feat. Chuckthespittah)” also feature $avvy’s take o hard-hitting trap cuts, even dipping into a refreshing Carti hommage  on “STUPID/DUMB.” “OUCH” and “GO!” present contrasting emotional colors of R&B with impressive vocal melodies that shift between somber heartbreak and bright romance. “FINGERPRINTs (feat. Mike floss, Charity)” finds $avvy holding down an infectious funk bass groove with an upbeat dance tune reminiscent of the early 2000s. “GROWNMAN” also features another slick bassline with touches of glistening keys. While many projects petter out towards the end of their tracklist, POOR’s finale serves as the project’s emotional climax with “CLOSE THE CURTAINS (feat. DK)” intense, slow-build to a rage-worthy bass drop. 

With the release of POOR, $avvy imprints his distinct flavor of alternative hip-hop on a grander scale. Coinciding with a slew of events and a documentary release, the project marks an impressive moment of growth and expanding artistic expression and an extremely exciting time to become a fan.