Zach Cooper’s Hi Viz Cantaloupe feels true to the unlikely image in its name. It’s sticky, not-too-sweet, and has pronounced qualities that make it feel realer-than-real. Fans of Cooper’s previous work as ½ of King Garbage, as well as his co-creation credits with the likes of Leon Bridges, Kirby, and Moses Sumney, will be glad to get an even closer look at who he is. This short record pulls of bringing us into his world—a world some of us will find all-too familiar.
Hi Viz Cantaloupe feels like the perfect soundtrack for field parties, bonfires, unattended parking lots and the best steps to skate in small towns. It speaks to and through the protagonist-of-small stories that lives inside all of us. I got pulled over when I was listening to it to write this, because it knocks. It shows the party doesn’t have to be escapist, and introspection doesn’t need to be myopic.
Who will love this record? Anyone who wants a gentle wind at the back of their summer vibe. Who will hate it? I don’t know, cantaloupe is pretty undeniable this time of year.
CREDITS:
All words and music by Zach Cooper
with help from:
Steve Okonski
Nina Gi
Lake Solace
Astoria
Micah Thomas
i give my friends flowers
Nettie Fisher
Clay White
Samara Jade
Chrisitna Ruiz
Heidi Gruner
Raph, Jaz and Dion Cooper
Amari + Nico Ruiz Cooper
Mixed & Mastered by Rachel Alina
Art Direction by Heidi Gruner
Photography by Whitney Ott
Food Styling by Alyse Baca
Zach Cooper is a Grammy award winning composer, producer and songwriter based in North Carolina. He has contributed to works by Leon Bridges, SZA, The Weeknd, Jazmine Sullivan, Jon Batiste, Moses Sumney, Billy Porter, and Helado Negro, among others. Zach is also a founding member of experimental soul group, King Garbage. His work has been featured in Pitchfork, The Fader, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World Magazine, and he’s released records with RVNG Int’l, Styles Upon Styles and Mike Patton’s Ipecac Recordings.