Cambridge, MA MC Rothstein is still gearing up for the release of two upcoming EPs, and recently dropped “Jaded,” a pointed commentary on curious consumption–be it media, narcotics or otherwise. The track was paired with a surrealist, James Mao-directed video that showcases Rothstein and featuring artist Supa Bwe in a seemingly year 3000 dystopia, plugged into their seats and taking in the surfeit of chaos at Rothstein Harmaceuticals on a bevy of monitors.
The two take turns over the sinister Shepard production, with Rothstein delivering raw, revelatory verses–breaking through his existential audit with a wry shout out the physicists and cello players he dates. Supa Bwe unearths his tongue-twisting delivery from “the future,” letting the listener know he’s on a higher plane before warning the listener to “never meet your idols, especially in rap.” The two rhymers properly juxtapose the ominous soundscape with clever, humorous insights that let us know that even if they need to give up all their xanax, they haven’t completely descended into the abyss.
