The Space Between sees Illy embrace and thrive on reflection and change – ABC News

Six albums in, Illys still showing fans that he has room to grow.

The multitasking Melbourne artists latest studio record, The Space Between, lands five years on from 2016s blockbuster, Two Degrees. That one certified Illy as one of the countrys most commercially successful rappers: a shiny ARIA #1 that boasted big singles in Catch-22 and notably, the #7 entry of 2016's Hottest 100: Papercuts.

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With half a decade in between drinks, Illys had a lot of life experience to draw on for The Space Between. Themes of hedonism and excess weave together with those of grief, loss, heartbreak and ultimately, resolve, across 14 tracks.

Featuring the unmistakable touches of producers like M-Phazes, Styalz Fuego and Cam Bluff, the pieces of The Space Between were in place early on. Though it took three years to make, this is an album that had a stacked, talented team in place to see it through.

The singles released in the lead up to The Space Betweens full release painted an early picture of what to expect from Illys new chapter. There was the Ting Tings-inspired Then What, an earworm cut from the same cloth as Catch-22; the darker, autotune-favouring Codes; and the bright pop stylings of Lean On Me.

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Then during the Year of Our Pandemic 2020, Illy came through with a whopping four singles (alongside his Quarantune Parmas In June), leading with the bratty-flex Last Laugh and continuing through two collabs with G-Flip and WAAX on Loose Ends and Cheap Seats, respectively.

Capped off with I, Myself & Me near the end of the year, the roll out of The Space Between went lengths in painting a picture of the wave Illy was riding into 2021.

The record opens with a head-on address to criticisms that hes ditched the genre that raised him. Illy says Wave serves as a reminder of his origins.

I knew, on an album that takes a lot of different turns as far as style and sound, that I wanted the first thing people would hear to be some rap shit. he said.

Even so, the music and production on Wave is not dissimilar to that of the more pop-leaning records that form the album.

Leading directly into Loose Ends, the transition between the two isnt jarring. Its one of the albums strengths: song placement has been meticulously considered, so even though the tracks twist and turn thematically and lyrically, youre never thrown off course.

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The six collaborations that feature throughout The Space Between highlight Illys mastery at matching disparate artists to the vibe of his records.

An early highlight comes in his joint with new talent Carla Wehbe (No Feelings), whose vocals bring a Thelma Plum-esque smokiness to the hook. Elsewhere, L.A. pop artist Wrabel adds range to one of The Space Betweens more introspective moments, Mirror, not dissimilar to the impact Daniel Merriweather brought to Save Me on Cinematic in 2013.

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The back end of The Space Between hosts some of the records meatier offerings. For a listener simply passing by or coming to Illy for the first time, these songs offer up some real treats.

Race To The Bottom is a moment of reflection. What happens when the late nights and recklessness catches up to you? Loneliness can be a cruel companion, especially when youre left with only your own anxieties, inner monologues and self-critiques as company.

Sometimes saving me / From my own self / Sometimes feels like / Drawing blood from stoneI wonder who would hear / me ask for help / I wonder who would / Miss me when Im gone

Lonely - featuring Guy Sebastian at his cooing best against poignant M-Phazes production - is a tribute to Illys parents and his late gran and aunt; a track that will no doubt remain a touchstone for him long after the dust on this album settles.

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Title track The Space Between and Best Mistakes bring the energy back full circle. Of the album, Illy has said that ultimately, The Space Between is a record centred on change, and its particularly evident here. Taking stock of lessons learned and the experiences that define us.

The last decade has seen Illy exist and operate in a space that first started to see Australian hip hop become commercially viable outside the wider successes of the Hilltop Hoods, bridging the gap between the genre-definers of that time and the emergence of acts who were creating Australian hip-hop with the luxury of operating in more indie/pop lanes, like Allday.

Im proud of everything Ive done, musically. Illy says, thinking about how far hes come since an album like The Chase brought him to wider acclaim in 2010.

With hindsight and experiences lived on his side, how does the freshman Illy compare with the artist he is today?

Maybe a couple of times Ive missed the mark, but with The Chase, Im proud of going for it. I think in the genre at the time, it was a really forward thinking album. As far as personal development, it was ten years ago. A lot of life has happened inside music and outside.

Though hes long swapped days kicking it on the Frankston line for Melbourne high-rise life, the changes and experiences that have brought Illy to this point, personally and creatively, are ones he shares with confidence.

The Space Between is Illy at his most candid and as such, his strongest yet; regardless of whether hes pulling from his role in the breakdown of a relationship or the excitement he views the potential driving a new one.

Take moments of lyrical sarcasm and braggadocio out, strip the huge pop sounds away and youve got Al Murray at the centre of it all. Hes not above being flawed despite his successes. Hes working his shit out like the rest of us.

Im more capable of moving into different lanes than I was then, he reflects on his early work. Im better at getting my point across with some nuance now.

The Space Between is out now via Illy/Sony Music Entertainment Australia.

Illy is performing a special livestream launch event for The Space Between tonight from 7pm AEDT. For further information and tickets, head here.

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The Space Between sees Illy embrace and thrive on reflection and change - ABC News