Stanisland Magazine

Here’s what you need to know about the music group and their latest song, ‘eastside w my dogs’

They’re currently raising bars and pitching stakes. Thanks to their game of probing musical signals from the late 1990s to early 2000s, WHATMORE are a group you need to take note of.

Their movie score-like appeal is attracting an array of demographics from across the board. Having built a reputation, they’re now gaining recognition as ones to watch.

Who are WHATMORE?

The group formed as a music collective consisting of five members: Cisco Swank, Yoshi T, Jackson August, $eb (Cebu), and Elijah Judah. Their venture began straight out of high school, with a sound aligned more with hip-hop despite claims they’re genre-fluid.

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Gaining acclaim through performances around Manhattan and Brooklyn, they quickly found their footing with a beguiling DIY style and cinematic appeal.

Their debut track, Mii Music, seems to be a testing ground for the group’s sound as they fuse deep guitar riffs with a pop-to-boom-bap beat. It’s a riveting demonstration, providing a substantial window into the group’s aims, with a fluent framework from start to finish.

What eastside w my dogs Sounds Like

The second single, Eastside w My Dogs (often referred to as eastside with my dogs) follows the collective’s style of fruitful vibes that align with their manifesto. Though this track ends quickly, and there isn’t an option to access it in full—if such a thing exists.

Opening against a Bone-Thugz-esque introduction, the first verse drops against a whirlpool production to grab the listener’s attention. Utilising 808s and a detuned layered piano over an additional wafting bassline, the production is truly a seminal construct buoyed by the deliveries of both Swank and Sebastiano. It’s grainy, with a pinch of skate video thrown in to satisfy a broad spectrum of music fans. At times, it feels like a parody, but we’re swiftly brought back to enjoying the music.

The Verdict

Its coming-of-age aesthetic is a standout feature of the composition. The vocals aren’t mumbly—though, at times, they do feature stylistic similarities—and the range of their artistic signature for the most part is a moreish quality.

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While I can appreciate why songs are so short now (thanks, Spotify), the potential to create a masterpiece withers with every second scalped from its production. If you’re just vibing, then kudos; but it only works when part of an EP.

This could have been the case, though it’s cut short at a measly 1:51. Whatmore could offer an extended copy of it.

How to Hear it

The group’s music can be streamed via YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple, and Tidal.