With the release of his eighth studio album, “Sulfur Surfer”, Bladee has yet again satiated the raving throngs of his rabid fanbase. It’s not like there haven’t been Bladee releases since his prior album, with a smattering of singles, features, and remixes being released since 2024, but for the legions of “Drainers” who follow the Drain Gang swede rap collective, a new Bladee album is of utmost import. It is what the fanbase will inevitably coalesce upon, with entire personalities and cultures formed around each individual’s favorite Bladee era and release. Sulfur Surfer is now part of Bladee’s canon, and as such we must interrogate it as to see what it brings to the table.
When this album was suddenly announced on May 15th, with only 5 days until full release, I was fully engaged. As someone who’s been an avid fan of Bladee and Cloud Rap since my first introduction to his musical stylings in high school, I couldn’t miss this release for anything. Bladee’s quite near and dear to me, being my 3rd most listened to artist of all time, and what I find so enthralling about his music is the scope and range present. While those uninitiated may say that it all sounds the same, after a good few listens you begin to pick up the nuances of what makes each Bladee release stand out. 2014’s “Gluee” does not sound like 2018’s ‘Red Light”, and neither do “Gluee” nor “Red Light” sound like 2022’s “Crest”. I could go on, but these nuances are what drive my zealotry for this artist. There’s a Bladee release for virtually every type of situation, if you’re imaginative. With the advent of this release, I was on tenterhooks, imagining what type of camp this one would fall under.
