After spending six years away from music, Brooklyn-born artist Dom Cruz has been on a steady return in 2026 with a renewed perspective. His latest project, PAST LIVES II, is not a restart or a return to where he left off — it’s a reflection of everything that happened during the time in between. Created alongside producer Blkgod9, the EP captures themes of growth, identity, memory, and the freedom that comes from embracing personal change.
Cruz’s journey has always been shaped by movement. While Brooklyn remains the foundation of his story, his experiences living in Atlanta, Florida, Portland, and Southern California have expanded his worldview and influenced the way he approaches music. Each city brought new relationships, challenges, and perspectives that continue to inform his writing and production. The result is a sound that feels authentic and lived-in, built from real experiences rather than imagined narratives.
Describing his style as “authenticity, vulnerability and darkness all wrapped up into poetry,” Cruz creates music that balances emotional honesty with cinematic atmosphere. His work blends introspective lyricism, layered production, and a willingness to explore both personal struggles and moments of clarity. Rather than simply revisiting the past, PAST LIVES II examines how those experiences shape who a person becomes.
The EP opens with “FUCC ICE FREE FRANKIE JAX,” immediately setting a tone of raw energy and confidence. “HIGHWAY 1” shifts the mood with soulful production and a more reflective approach, capturing the feeling of moving forward while still carrying memories from the road behind. The title track, “PAST LIVES II,” serves as one of the project’s emotional highlights, combining haunting textures, organic instrumentation, and thoughtful songwriting.
The EP’s closing track, “VOID // FREEDOM,” brings the project’s themes together. Produced by Blkgod9 alongside Teedoteinsof and Nopal, the song explores release, resilience, and finding clarity after periods of uncertainty. Its accompanying visual, shot by Nopal, follows that same emotional path, using dark nighttime imagery and cinematic scenes to highlight Cruz’s performance and the song’s atmosphere without overshadowing its message.
For Cruz, PAST LIVES II reflects a period of transformation. After stepping away to experience life beyond the studio, he returns with a sharper vision and a stronger sense of purpose. The project showcases an artist who has grown through time, distance, and reflection, proving that evolution often happens away from the spotlight.
With PAST LIVES II, Dom Cruz continues building the next chapter of his story, and defining it by honesty, resilience, and a creative voice that feels more highly intentional.
Listen to PAST LIVES II here now and support the artists directly via Bandcamp: https://domcruz.bandcamp.com/album/past-lives-ii
Watch the video for "VOID // FREEDOM" here now:
