European duo Keno Mensing and siii3eyes dive into the intricacies of validation and connection on the immersive and artfully crafted album, ‘No Friends.’

Stream: ‘No Friends’ – Mensing & siii3eyes

Friendship is something that can be defined by many parameters… When you are looking for friendship as a holistic thing, it’s basically being able to call somebody a comrade… someone that you can depend on… this is a mutual thing.

– “Intro,” Mensing & Siii3eyes

The opening moments of No Friends feature a stark dichotomy between the title of the album and the subject matter of the music.

The project’s opening audio clip displays an unknown speaker sharing their thoughts on what friendship looks like to them – it’s quite positive and uplifting. Yet, given the title of the album, It’s clear Siii3eyes is bitter; the rapper struggles with finding validation from others. sii3 has been burned before and prefers a life alone: a life with no friends.

Connection is something we all crave, yet it is not always something that comes naturally. A lack of connection can make us feel lonely or bitter or trap us in a state of unwanted solitude. But for a rapper as thoughtful as Siii3eyes, connection is overrated. Having been hurt before, the rapper is looking to grow and find solace in himself.

I don’t know why my better side pops out
when friendly faces are dyed green
No friends I see, no friends I see…

– “No Friends,” Mensing & Siii3eyes

The album’s title track, “No Friends,” revels in melancholy while artfully displaying much of what the album has to offer: Slow, colorful, stripped-back instrumentals from producer Keno Mensing, and sharp, pensive storytelling from wordsmith Siii3eyes (pronounced “see-three-eyes”). The nocturnal and jazz-tinged instrumental edges toward abstract without sacrificing the overall vibe of the music – it pairs almost perfectly with the subject matter of the lyrics. The deep bass and subtle vocal effects add a dreamlike quality to the track, almost like we are hearing sii3eye’s thoughts reverberate in his own head.

And when the wordsmith is finished contemplating intricacies of his loneliness, Mensing offers a closing section which strips everything back except some soft vocals and an isolated, ice-cold guitar sound. It’s a captivating musical moment which hammers home the emotional crux of the music and a testament to the thoughtful execution of Mensing’s production.

Though lonely, Siii3eyes isn’t one to dwell much on himself. He calls out the superficial nature of social media culture and how social media “friends” are nothing but a number to him. The rapper detests people driven by material goods – “I suppose we can lose it or replace it with something else that won’t benefit your body’s nest … material items / I could have bought your heart and broke it instead.” The sentiment would come across as petty if the rapper weren’t so sincere and direct – Siii3eyes paints with his own brush and is not afraid to let you know it.

There is no concrete or distinct definition
of love other than you know it when you feel it.

– “Love,” Mensing & Siii3eyes

“Lost” paints a more detailed picture of the rapper’s mindset. sii3’s repeated “forever humble” poignantly stings amongst the fervent beat. As is the case with much of the album, Mensing’s subtle instrumental switch ups add some very necessary detail to the music. Instrumentals on tracks like “Noir” could be dismissed as Knxwledge worship if they weren’t so darn slick. The crescendo of muted saxophone on “My Purple Meaning” is nothing short of captivating. The bold trio hop-influenced “1000 Times” comes off a bit clunky on first listen but quickly develops into a welcome contrast to the project.

Healing can come in many different forms…
what healing should entail is making sure
that you are able to recover from
whatever it is you need to recover
and come back stronger.

– “Healing,” Mensing & Siii3eyes

Like any great narrative, No Friends’ closing moments exhibits positive growth for sii3.

“I’ve Been Here Before” finds the rapper coming to terms with their own mental state. Siii3eyes repeats how he has healed his core, the statement bouncing atop Mensing’s  boldest beat yet. Shining string sections signal the closer “Always November” signaling a moment of acceptance for the duo and ending the album on a strong note of positivity.

Even while tackling weighty topics, No Friends is at its best when it taps into its adventurous spirit. Though short in length, the album has plenty to offer without sounding complacent or stagnant. It’s a project that wears its influences on its sleeve in a way that both elevates and pays homage to Mensing and Siii3eyes’ many influences in the genre while finding solace in its bold, confessional sentiment.

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:: stream/purchase No Friends here ::

“I’ve Been Here Before” – Mensing & siii3eyes

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No Friends

an album by Mensing & siii3eyes