Lil Peep shines on his heartbroken, posthumous single, “Spotlight,” which arrives two months after his untimely death. Marshmello serves up superb production work.   

“Bother me, tell me awful things / You know I love it when you do that / Helps me get through this without you.”On November 15, 2017, the world lost an intriguing, up-and-coming artist, Lil Peep (Gustav Åhr), to a drug overdose. The tatted rapper-singer, a proponent of the emo-infused rap movement, was just 21 years old, with his career only beginning. Posthumously, DJ and electronic music producer Marshmello helps the world remember Peep with single, “Spotlight.”

One of the first observations when listening to “Spotlight” is that it sounds more refined than Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1, Peep’s only musical project.  That project was dark and rough around the edges, while Marshmello adds a bit more finesse and brightness to “Spotlight.”  That said, the only bright spot about “Spotlight” is that we get to hear the deceased artist once more as it’s a sad record.

On the first verse, Lil Peep sings, “Lovin’ you is a fairytale / I just can’t pick up the phone again / This time, I’ll be on my own, my friend / One more time, I’m all alone again.”  That’s depressing.  The pre-chorus continues a most depressed state: “Sex with you is like I’m dreamin’, and / I just wanna hear you scream again / Now you’re gone, I can’t believe it.”

Final Thoughts

On “Spotlight,” from a critical standpoint, Lil Peep, sounds like he’s taken the next step in his artistic growth. This record is where I personally envisioned him going, at least to some extent musically. Sadly, he passed away before he could make an even larger impact on the music world.  “Spotlight” is great.

Marshmello & Lil Peep • Spotlight – Single • Joytime Collective / Lil Peep • Release: 1.12.18

Photo Credit: Joytime Collective / Lil Peep