PELL & KOTA THE FRIEND SAY WHAT WE'RE ALL THINKING ON THRU THE LINES
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS
"Tell me you'll still want the best for me, straight from your heart and not for your ego." It's a lyric that arrives almost immediately on Thru The Lines, and from that very first line, Pell isn't interested in skimming the surface. Teaming up with New York lyricist Kota the Friend, the New Orlans multi-faceted artist delivers a captivating collaboration that effortlessly blends hip-hop, bounce and electronic influences into something that feels as emotionally honest as it does rhythmically infectious. Where the beat wastes no time finding its footing.
The track carries an infectious energy from the outset, but beneath its groove lies something much heavier. High-pitched electronic textures weave themselves through the production like intrusive thoughts, mirroring the uncertainty that sits at the heart of the song's narrative. "Say what you feel, don't leave me clueless." It's a simple line, but one that sticks. Kota the Friend steps in headfirst with a verse that shifts the dynamic without interrupting the momentum. Together, the pair create something that feels less like two artists trading verses and more like two voices navigating the same emotional landscape.
Pell captures that emotional limbo beautifully, allowing the production to do just as much storytelling as the lyrics themselves. Speaking about the single, Pell explains:
"I've been actively writing a project that speaks to my experiences being back home in New Orleans and I've felt that this was a great exploration of how to make my own version of the bounce and color we are known for. It's deeper than genre, it's a feeling."
And that's exactly what Thru The Lines becomes.
Yes, it's rooted in bounce. Yes, it's undeniably hip-hop. But reducing it to genre alone misses the point. This is a song built around emotion. It's a musical journey through the hope that honest communication can still bridge the gap between two people. One of those rare tracks where the lyrics feel deeply relatable, while the production gives every emotion a vibrant new colour.
Thankfully, with Pell and Kota the Friend, we don't have to read between any lines. They've already said exactly what needed to be said.
Beyond Thru The Lines, Pell's vision extends far beyond his own catalogue. As co-founder of New Orleans label glbl wrmng, an incubator helping local artists develop both creatively and commercially, he's building opportunities as well as songs. It's another reminder that Pell refuses to be defined by one role, one genre or one lane.
