By Blush, For Blush with the Blush Crew

Words by Matthew Spence:

Life’s hourglass timer might as well be a world-obliterating bomb because some of us are sweating bullets, as if we were wearing a Coogi sweater in hell, seeing how far we got into the summer already. Matter of fact, time is just sprinting by us to where we’ll age 3 years by the end of this article. But here we are in the home stretch of late July in the summer of 25, which is hopefully one to remember for many in all the most high and positive ways. No matter how you spent it, whether you were tire rolling down the hill 1979-style or giving Phineas and Ferb a run for their money. Maybe you were just sitting at home coming up with stories to tell your homies when you get back to school, because saying you sat home eating pizza bagels, and watching Freaks and Geeks isn’t the movie you want to pitch. However you spent it, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re happy and have a dope-ass soundtrack to it.

Thankfully, many have come to save the day and save the summer with youthful sonics for our ears. Right around our time, temps were rising and time was melting towards summer. Kevin Abstract posted something on his IG, but it wasn’t just your everyday post. Letting us know that he’ll be one of the ones to help the summer out. A colorfully red backdrop with blue bold letters “BLUSH” and underneath, white letters “June 2025.”

Immediately triggering the art hip-hop heads to 80s adventure style on their bikes to figure out and find out an instant mental skywriter question: what is blush? Well, on June 27th, we got our answer, with the official new release from Kevin Abstract and the debut of a new collective with Blush.

18 tracks crafted with care and intent. Blush is not just a solo album, not even a collab album or group album per se, but an identity that has multiple elements to unfold more than a Charlie Kaufman film. In the midst of the search parties for the search party to figure out what Blush is. Next single? Album? Clothing? Short film? Kevin Abstract: Musician, visionary, and Brockhampton founder, he dissolved the mystery and alleviated everyone from wasting $50 on going to a local psychic to get answers. Continuing to build the world brick by brick on his IG, we learned a few things. Follow me to the chalkboard.

Blush is:

No concrete/fixated members but a fluctuating collective of creatives
Limitless in outputs and outwards
With a math pesto of challenging, disrupting, and letting the art do the speaking

Blush is a free-roaming idea.

Now, there are def folks out there still pretty confused by this concept, as if a twister got their tongue.

However, think of it like the Warhol factory, as Kevin points out, as an inspo/reference point. The All-Star lineup for this first era includes long-time friend and fellow Brockhampton alum Ameer Vann, Quadeca, Truly Young, Love Spells, AJ, Dominic Fike, E Bleu, and, among other close friends and collaborators, whether in front of or behind the music. All talented solo artists and creatives. Over a few months working primarily in Texas (being Kevin’s home state) and sparked by the fall of a relationship, BLUSH is an example of how art can heal those on both sides. Instead of creating another solo journal entry, he [Kevin] was inspired to create a group session.

It’s a perfect example of synchronicity amongst a group of homies and creators. Textbook [with all the wear and tear and scribblings] definition of “Locking In.” With hip hop to pop elements to R&B, one moment you’ll dance like Tyler the Creator, but then croon like Duckie.

Blush feels like an audio scrapbook of musical influences, emotions, and memories. Ultimately, being transformative to craft an album that will not only be the soundtrack for people’s summers in 2025. To the moments of having firecracker public schools in the morning to Milton at the beach in the evening, and driving and smiling on the days all said and done in the late night. Yet it won’t be glued to this one season. As it will stick with so many throughout the forever-looping 365 calendar.

Oh shit, my bad! I guess I got carried away and stepped over the border between interviewing and reviewing. I didn’t earn my reviewer badge, and they confiscated my fake one, but thankfully, my homie Ebonite Harris has an exclusive review for you! <Clears throat> Now where was I?

From standout moments to sweet-spot pieces of music. From Ameer’s verse on H-Town, Love Spells’ versatility of spitting bars on one track to the next, hitting pitches so high that Mariah Carey would get a Napoleon complex around him. He’s like the Mel Blanc of BLUSH. This isn’t just a one-man show but a whole talented cast on their way to break out and/or continue to be a masterclass of confidence in creating. So me being the lucky geek I am, I got to get a behind-the-scenes look at the blush factory (figuratively at least) and got to send in some questions to some of the current members about the album. And other stuff. Here’s the stuff.

AJ:

What are some lessons you took away from working on this project that you’re gonna bring to your next project? [whether a solo or another collaborative project]

Working on this project with Kevin encouraged me to be more assertive when making records. Never hold in any thought you have while in the studio. Making sure everyone in the room is heard.

What makes you blush?

My momma.

How was navigating developing/fleshing out ideas that fits for Kevins vision but also felt right for you?

Developing ideas with him is always a fun process; he loves to give complete freedom to any artist or producer in the room. When forming a track, there is usually multiple hooks and verses, then he narrows down the structure that feels right to him. Kevin never abandons an idea; he always expresses to me to follow every idea all the way through. Never knowing what can come from it.

How have you been celebrating being apart of an “Album of the Year contender” project? How does it feel?

It feels amazing knowing this body of work is getting recognized among the industry. Although I try not to get caught up in celebrating. This record is the beginning to a story, the first chapter. What comes next is my main focus.

Best Bops from Blush? [5 fav songs from the album]

97Jag, Red Light, H Town, Geezer, Yoko Ono

It feels like a new turning point for Kevin as an artist and person, do you feel the same regarding your own artistry and individuality after being apart of Blush? If so, how?

Yes, working on Blush I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone. Forming a whole new sound for myself as a producer. That being said. Yes, this is definitely a pivotal moment in my career.

Being Blush was made in Houston and is a main source of inspo for Kevin. How did you tap into the Houston and the Houston scene for inspo? [Hit up your fav local spots, go to local shows, etc]

I grew up in Houston, finding inspiration in the city just took going out more. Visiting spots where we grew up, going, and recreating nostalgia from our childhood.

How did you get approached to be apart of Blush, and how did you respond to the concept when it was explained to you?

When Kevin left LA and came back to Texas he reached out to me and my brothers, E and Drigo. We had all grew up together. After days of just hanging out he explained the concept of Blush. I helped him find local talent in Texas, and we began building out what you have hopefully listened to now.

Future Plans?

Finish Blush, the story has just begun.

Love Spells:

What are some lessons you took away from working on this project that you’re gonna bring to your next project? [whether a solo or another collaborative project]

It made me feel safer in my own skin. I used to build everything in solitude in my mind, so walking into a room with so many other people – people I didn’t grow up with, people whose language might not match mine exactly – I was nervous. I asked myself too much if the things I had to say would land, if they’d even make sense. Especially since I thought what I do on my own lives in a completely different universe than Blush(which wasn’t true). But being around them taught me something about presence. About stepping into a room like you belong there. Watching Ian move – just the way he sees things, how he built this thing from air – it gave me something. I’ve been carrying that with me while I work on my solo record. Structure. Spirit. Something like star energy. I don’t feel as shy anymore.

What makes you blush?

Love in the wild. Like when I saw an older couple dancing to music late in New York at some random bar. Or watching someone you love doing the thing they were born to do. When we were in the middle of building Blush, just being close to the passion in the room..that made me blush. Everyone was in love – with the game, with the process, with their own story. It made me remember what this is really all about.

How was navigating developing/fleshing out ideas that fits for Kevins vision but also felt right for you?

Once I let the room hold me, it wasn’t hard. I just wanted to make good music, and that’s what we were doing. Ian has this gift of hearing you before you’ve even spoken. From the jump, he knew exactly where I should be on a track – vocally, emotionally, sonically. I didn’t have to force anything. It felt like a hand reaching for mine in the dark, and me grabbing it.

How have you been celebrating being apart of “Album of the year contender” project? How does it feel?

I’ve just been living in the world we made. Windows down, 97 Jag up loud, driving at night. Sharing. Receiving love. Kicking it with my people. Still making music. Still laughing. Still up too late. That’s the celebration. It feels like the first page of a brand new chapter. Like the wind just shifted direction, but I’m still in the jeep with my homies.

Best Bops from Blush? [5 fav songs from the album]

It changes depending on the day, but right now it’s 97 Jag, Geezer, Pop Out, I Wasn’t There, and Post Break Up Beauty.

It feels like a new turning point for Kevin as an artist and person, do you feel the same regarding your own artistry and individuality after being apart of Blush? If so, how?

Completely. I feel like I cracked open. Like I’ve got two versions of me now – arguing over who gets to get down in the booth. It’s wild. Blush did that. It rearranged some things inside me. I feel versatile. I feel free. I feel like I just got handed the keys to a house I didn’t know I’d been building all this time.

Truly Young:

What are some lessons you took away from working on this project that you’re gonna bring to your next project? [whether a solo or another collaborative project]

Be honest and try everything.

What makes you blush?

Boys

How was navigating developing/fleshing out ideas that fits for Kevins vision but also felt right for you?

I write exactly how I’m feeling and hope it works.

How have you been celebrating being apart of an “Album of the Year contender” project? How does it feel?

It’s insane. I feel like a princess. I’ve been celebrating by drinking champagne and eating chocolate chip cookies.

Best Bops from Blush? [5 fav songs from the album]

1 Girlfriend

2 97 Jag

3 Red Light

4 Pop Out

5 Maroon

It feels like a new turning point for Kevin as an artist and person, do you feel the same regarding your own artistry and individuality after being apart of Blush? If so, how?

I do. Working with my best friends has made me improve and grow exponentially as an artist in a short period of time. Them providing me with honest feedback and having my best interests at heart has instilled me with a deeper level of trust in myself. What I do naturally, without force, but pushing myself to work as hard as possible, has gotten me to this point.

Being Blush was made in Houston and a main source of inspo for Kevin. How did you tap into the Houston and the Houston scene for inspo? [Hit up your fav local spots, go to local shows, etc]

We went to Numbers too many times.

How did you get approached to be apart of Blush, and how did you respond to the concept when it was explained to you?

I’ve known Ian for years. I got my heart shattered, stomped on, and ran over, then flew straight to Texas to cope with the breakup. I stayed in Ian’s house with a bunch of the boys. We started working on music together and became inseparable since then.

Future Plans?

So many.

Out on Juno / X8 Music. Stream Blush everywhere and anywhere you prefer. Peace to the Blush crew in this interview and to all of them outside the interview: Truly Young, Love Spells, and AJ. Peace to you…..Take these pieces of peace