In a time where hip hop has seen a trap-takeover to appeal to the masses, Archy Moor feels like a breath of fresh air with his low-tempo beats and raw lyricism. His spell-binding music draws you in for an attentive listen bound to bring up an honest emotional reaction. Having released his first single Moonboy in 2019, the artist has grown through a roster of extremely talented producers and creative experimentation, Moor now celebrates the release of his new EP Bonnie Hill. Not only has Moor released a new EP this year but he is also treating us to another new single and music video for I’ve Been, a track which sees the artist play with vocal distortion and profound yet catchy lyrics. In honour of Moor’s releases we’ve chatted to him about his South Korea travels, being in the studio creating Bonnie Hill and some of his personal favourite songs.
Hey Archy ! You gave us a hard one with Bonnie Hill, your new EP. Tell me a little bit about the process behind making this EP.
Yoo yeah it’s a mad process, I’ve had about five different versions of Bonnie Hill with different producers but none of them felt right. Definitely landed the right one working with Earl Saga. Our zoom sessions to night long sessions in Milton Keynes was pretty much the bulk of how the project was made. I went to LA in the later half of last year to record it all and that’s when it was put to rest!
Did you record the EP in a specific order or was it more of a hitting the studio all day every day kind of situation? If so, how did you then decide on the song order?
Nah not at all, there was no order. I more so just spoke my stories as the days passed and toward the end I just ordered the songs how they’d be best told. I wanted the tape to tell a story so that’s how I decided on the final track order
This year you’ve been on a roll man. First Bonnie Hill and now you’re treating us to a new single and music video for I’ve Been. What’s the concept behind this song?
Myself and Earl made I’ve Been on the plane to Korea, he made the instrumental the night before then we recorded it at the hostel we were staying at. I think the song is just that, the craziness of “yo we’re actually in Korea making music” like it was a proper what the fuck moment. For the video I always wanted to get into doing my own videos so thought why not while we’re we in this scenic country, so we picked up a camera and did it all, that was pretty fun!
Tell me about those travels. Did you find inspiration while you were there? Did you have any culture shock moments? Any food spot recommendations?
Super inspiring country. Nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. I was over there for close to a month and I wish I had more time to explore. There’s a load of tradition and heritage everywhere you go that you just can’t replicate anywhere else. Food was ten ten, I had some pig’s tongue out there…it was actually good. They also have the best smoothies going, everywhere and anywhere.
Your music is quite hard to fit into one box – you’ve got these slow hip hop beats on Remember Me but you switch it up and show us a jazzy vibe on The Long Road. The only person that comes to mind I could relate your music to is probably Rejjie Snow with his chill hip hop vibe. How would you describe your music?
I don’t really know myself, I guess honest? I’m not trying to be anything fake so if I’m feeling a certain way toward a genre and want to explore it, I will. I always like to keep myself open and not boxed into being a specific genre type of artist. Music is meant to be fun and I feel repeating the same thing over and over again would get boring.
You’ve got quite an impressive crew of producers, including Earl Saga, MIKEWAVVS, Nick Mills… How do you know when a producer is the right fit for you? Do you look for anything specific or is it all about the vibes?
Honestly it’s how you are as a person for me. Yeah I’ll be drawn to a producer based off of the work they’ve done and how much I rate them but if they then turn around to not be solid people beside music then it ain’t for me. The guys who made this project are brothers. Super crew.
Which track or artist have you been non-stop listening to recently?
I Hate Everything by Action Bronson and The Alchemist, and Joyce Wrice, all of her music.
One thing that particularly stands out to me in your music is your raw and honest lyrics, especially in Have It In My Hands. Are you normally this vulnerable on a day-to-day basis or is music something that really helps you channel and express your emotions?
Complete opposite of vulnerable outside of music. I feel like it’s weird to just talk about the things I do in my songs, but when its put into lyrics it feels right to me. I think subconsciously I want to speak on it which is why it always ends up in my music how it does. There’s times I don’t even realise I had certain stories to tell until I listen back to the music.
If your music could teach your listeners one thing, what would it be?
Keep it real to you. Don’t be a clone, follower or live in gimmicks. As long as you do it for you and lead with love you can’t go wrong.
You’ve already done so much this year but can we expect anything else from you?
There’s another project on the way, sooner rather than later.
Picture yourself in 5 years. Where do you want to be and what do you want to have achieved by then?
To be real I don’t think that far ahead, I’m happy just going day by day and taking what happens in my stride. So much could happen in five years time that it can’t even show up in my mind what it would look like. I guess if the music keeps coming and I can share stories with more people that would be pretty cool.
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