Utilizing editing softwares, junior Basil Metroulas creates his own album covers. Metroulas is able to suit the mood of the album at hand through images he found and designed. “I try to have the general aesthetic of the album be represented by the cover, like you can hear the music just by looking at the cover.” (Photo courtesy of Makinsey Drake)

With four albums released on Spotify and Apple Music, junior Basil Metroulas has produced his own music since middle school. As Metroulas intends on having a career in the music industry, he has been working since June to create his newest mixtape: “Brine” (released December 31). Using FL Studio, Metroulas writes, produces and records his own songs from his home studio. 

“Usually, I first have a concept of an album or EP in mind. The details usually come later, but first I come up with a big picture artistic vision that I want to carry out. I like to write about recent events and feelings I’ve been through,” Metroulas said. “The project is subject to a lot of change. Sometimes complete albums are scrapped if I feel like they aren’t good or if I have a better idea.“

When creating a song, Metroulas creates the instrumentals first, as he believes writing the lyrics is easier with an instrumental already created.

“Track wise, I always have the main idea of a song in my mind before I’m writing the lyrics. Brine was originally supposed to be a concept album called ‘The Pink,’ about a mafioso corrupted by power,” Metroulas said. “Instead, I decided to go for a less specific and more abstract concept. I wanted to create an album about a slow descent into madness and depression. The mixtape reflects this, as the tracks are not only lyrically darker, but musically more bleak as the tape goes on.”

Putting his ideas into play, Metroulas experimented with beats until he created five hours of music. He then cut it down to 30 minutes of music to create the song’s instrumentals. The sequencing of the songs is intentionally crafted to create a story-like experience. Metroulas usually writes the tracks in the album’s final order to convey an emotional journey.

“I try to make each song matter in the context of whatever project it is in,” Metroulas said. “Even the stupid songs are placed there to relieve the tension set previously. I feel like the placement of the tracks allows the music to create a larger artistic statement, exemplifying the power of music as a medium.”

Metroulas has altered his style of music throughout his career. He began with “Stains,” then “Cladius”, “Shiv” and finally, “Brine.” 

“Each album has been different in mood for me, with ‘Stains’ I was trying to emulate a Spaceghostpurrp, Lil Ugly Mane [and] Three 6 Mafia aesthetic. I pulled heavily from old school memphis and cloud rap as well as modern trap. Claudis was inspired by the more dreamy side of cloud rap, pulling from artists like Vaporwave, Bladee and Black Kray,” Metorulas said. “With Shiv, I wanted to take a more industrial approach, and I listened to artists like Dalek and JPEGMAFIA for inspiration. On my newest mixtape Brine, I just went in the direction I felt was best, not trying to replicate any specific sound or vibe, just what I wanted at the moment of writing each song. I think this goes to not only enhance the turbulent feel of the album but also shows my emotional progression throughout the tracklist.”

Inspired by his favorite artists, Metroulas wants to create an artistic statement, a message he intends for his listeners to gather from his art. 

“[My artistic statement] depends on the record,” Metroulas said. “The main idea I try to get across with my music is to be yourself despite anyone else pushing back against you.”

Metroulas’ main inspirations are Travis Miller (Lil Ugly Mane), Radiohead, David Bowie and Tyler, the Creator. 

“They inspire not only my sound but my sequencing, song titling and more,” Metroulas said. “I aspire to create my own artistic persona, while taking inspiration from them.”

Metroulas will continue to produce and release music and he pictures himself working in the music industry down the road. Metroulas plans to begin reaching his ideal occupation as a self producing artist through promoting his music on social media. 

“I have many projects on the back burner currently that may or may not release depending on my artistic vision at the time. [I don’t] particularly [get a lot of listeners]. I don’t promote my music, but I plan to in the future on all of my social medias,” Metroulas said. “A career in music would be great. I enjoy experimenting with the idea.”

You can listen to Metroulas’ newest album, Brine, on Spotify and Apple Music.