Zero 9:36, The End | Track Review 🎵

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Zero 9:36 (Matthew Cullen) brings ample energy and quite the vibe on his aggressive, confident rap-rock single, “The End.”

“I push myself to the edge / Lookin’ for the end, hopin’ this time I won’t break…” Those are definitely aggressive lyrics from the hook of “The End,” a high-energy single from rapper/singer (rap-rocker, perhaps) Zero 9:36.  According to Mark Deming (AllMusic), Zero 9:36 is “a Pennsylvania-based rapper and musician whose style evolved from combative rap to doomstruck rock with an electronic edge.” That description of Matthew Cullen’s style seems to perfectly capture “The End.”

“The End” seems like the perfect outlet to both capture angst and to release it, period. Cullen is a mixture of confidence, pessimism, and unapologetic throughout the single.  He commences his first verse with a bang: “I don’t feel it when they talk on me, I won’t take it / Get the fuck from ‘round me, let’s face it…” WOW! The second verse has no shortage of ‘bullets’ either: “Hold my Momma, issa problem whenever we come back / Y’all don’t want that precision, with this it is unmatched – I…” BANG! Mix these confident, hardnosed lyrics and assertive vocals with production that’s guitar-driven with those ‘electronic’ touches, and the vibe of “The End” is quite appealing – even infectious if you can believe it.

Final Thoughts

Question: Will “The End” change your life? Probably not – we’ve seen plenty of rap-oriented rock throughout the years, with mixed results and sometimes little staying power.  That said, being much more optimistic and fairer to Cullen, “The End” is definitely a fun vibe if nothing else; definitely a moment for a young, rising artist.  If you haven’t checked out Zero 9:36 to this point, let’s just say 23-year old Matthew Cullen is definitely worth the time.

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Zero 9:36 • “The End” • Atlantic • Release: 5.8.20

Photo Credit: Atlantic