Grammy-nominated DJ, producer, director, and songwriter Sam i (formerly of hip-hop duo N.A.S.A.) and Nashville production and songwriting vanguard Shmuck the Loyal have joined forces for a new collaborative project TRY – a name representing their core beliefs as artists and people striving for proactive positivity. Now they’ve released Chapter One of their debut album, an uplifting and optimistic project born from an inspiring and terrifying time. Through that lense, TRY chooses the path of light, acknowledging the flaws of the world while choosing to find the beauty of the human experience. “We wanted to make something that sounded timeless, and we figured that out as we went along – music that provided a visceral energy,” explains Shmuck. TRY’s debut is a sonic travelogue through every corner of electronic and pop – no stone left unturned, with thousands of miles on the odometer.

 
Alongside the release, they’ve also shared a mind-melting video, directed by Sam, for “Clarity” ft. EARTHGANG. Massive synth melodies and a rippling chorus kick down the door and weave around the dextrous rhymes of the Atlanta hip-hop duo atop a sample of a song recorded at Angola Prison. In line with the intention behind the entire project, the track is about optimism through the lens of hardship, seeing the sun through the clouds, seeing the light through the darkness. A percentage of the proceeds of “Clarity” will go towards helping the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people in the state of Louisiana.

Photo Courtesy: Lissy Laricchia