Will McClean's new track One Way Road is a stunner. The way the beat starts with backwards loops and trap style beats that have a hip-hip feel all work well.
His flow here is incredible. It feels authentic and real. A couple of times it sounds like he is almost out of breath due to the honesty and intensity of his delivery. Don't mistake me here: he's not yelling or screaming, he is simply feeling it and getting into the performance. And you can understand why - that beat with a low synth holding the bass and chord progression moving creates a sense of emotion that is only amplified with that rap delivery.
This is a heartfelt track where Will is questioning a lot of life's lessons and reflecting on what he has learnt, explaining it to all of us using metaphors and similes.
One Way Road is a standout track that doesn't need a chorus repeated over and over again. There is a hook, but it only complements the message of the track.
Will McClean is a Wellington-based hip-hop artist known for his introspective lyrics and evocative melodies, combined with the dynamic energy of his 6-piece live band.
Whilst being the ultimate hype man, Will’s main priority, however, is clarifying who, exactly, he represents. The short answer is his family and his friends.
Will’s late father was the frontman for a band that formed in the 80’s called The Vacuum and is a key drive of McClean’s inspiration to continue his musical legacy. Having also been surrounded by music in his home for the majority of his life, Will says “with Mum blasting artists like Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and Fat Freddy’s Drop all day, everyday; I used to be rapping and singing along and it ultimately made me gravitate to creating some flows for myself.” His ever expanding musical inspirations consist of the likes of Loyle Carner, Tom Scott and J. Cole to name a few.