Music, News

Rejjie Snow / Miso Extra @ Club Academy review – Rap’s favourite feature steps into his spotlight

0 43
Rejjie Snow at Club Academy, Manchester - pic by Kaitlyn Brockley

Featured image and gallery: Kaitlyn Brockley


It’s a cold winter’s night, but not in Club Academy. A crowd huddles in the dingy basement venue, warmth radiating from the throng gathered underneath the hue of fluorescent lighting. Opening the night is Miso Extra: an exciting upcoming rapper, producer and vocalist, inspired by everything from UKG and R&B to traditional pop. 

Her smooth breathy vocals melt into ambient swelling synths, reminiscent of early bedroom-pop Clairo and Billie Eilish, providing a perfect tonic to a blistering Thursday night. Miso Extra is clearly destined for The Warehouse Project with her mellow, hip-hop drum patterns and trancey rhythms that run in circles like a daydream. Miso twirls on the stage, dancing under the fluorescent lights, while the crowd dances with each other. 

Rejjie Snow at Club Academy, Manchester - pic by Kaitlyn Brockley

Rejjie Snow soon follows to a screaming crowd, smoke shrouding him like a shield. It cannot hide his cheeky grin as he surveys the Manchester crowd, and the front row that beams and clamour his name. 

There is a sense of vulnerability of him standing on the stage alone, just him and a backing track. But this doesn’t seem to affect him – he immediately launches into ‘Obrigado’, before following with fan-favourite ‘Egyptian Luvr’. Surface level, his music is smooth, mellow, laidback, but dig deeper and the lyrics tell us more: the post-chorus of ‘Karen’ calls out “blonde hair, blue eyes… Privilege in denial” whereas ‘Bye Polar’ detail his mental turmoil, contrasting with chirpy major chords.

Rejjie Snow at Club Academy, Manchester - pic by Kaitlyn Brockley

‘Peace to the World’ is the shining moment of the set, a treat from his latest album, reminiscent of Childish Gambino and featuring what appears to be an elevator music sample. ‘Poofy Leaves’ echoes early Kanye, whereas ‘Rio de Janeiro’ pairs a bossa nova beat with warm, ambient synths. The night finishes with the encore tracks ‘Acid Trip’, a quintessential lo-fi hip-hop hit with a rolling bassline, and ‘Sunny California’, closing the set with a sliding guitar solo and waves of applause. 

About the author / 

Kaitlyn Brockley

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Deadletter @ Band on the Wall, Manchester - 8/11/24. Image by Gracie Hall.

    DEADLETTER @ Band On The Wall review – an ensemble on the rise from strength to hysterical strength

    Featured image and gallery: Gracie Hall With the streets of Manchester’s Northern Quarter packed with festive revellers, Band On The Wall offers a temporary respite from the premature seasonal celebrations. Debut album ‘Hysterical Strength’ in tow, Yorkshire born DEADLETTER have garnered an avid following in the Northern reaches of England, broadcasting their infusion of post-punk…

  • Lights Up: Manchester’s cyclists illuminate the night calling for safer streets for women

    Photography: Adrianos Falkonakis, Chloe Tomkinson, Megan Levick, Simon WebbBy Megan Levick and Kate Dening “I left feeling so empowered.” Greater Manchester’s cycling community came together on Saturday for the second annual Lights Up night-time bike ride, an event designed to raise awareness of the issues women face when cycling, especially in the darker winter months….

  • Koyo / Oscar Bryrant & The BlueBirds / Slow Loris / Blythe @ The Castle Hotel review

    Featured image: Layla Caine Cowbells and proggy synthpop, anyone? With a stacked bill, the night promises to warm your cockles and shelter from the impending doom of market season in Manchester. If you can find the venue room, tucked away in an unassuming hallway, it’s a cosy affair. That is until our first support act…