There’s a certain patience to the music of Adelaide artist ~. His latest album, Eyes to See and Ears to Hear, doesn’t seem interested in explaining itself all at once. Instead, it unfolds gradually, revealing its ideas through atmosphere, repetition and moments of quiet reflection.
For ~, who previously released music as Ridgy, that patience feels fitting. His work has developed through years of experimentation, from learning guitar and piano to finding his footing as a rapper and producer. Since 2020, he has built connections within Australia’s underground scene, working with artists including MAVI and Camden Malik and contributing to the wider creative world of Hidden Renaissance.
But Eyes to See and Ears to Hear feels less concerned with establishing where ~ sits within that scene and more interested in where he is personally. The album carries a strong spiritual thread, though it never becomes overly literal. Faith, uncertainty and self-reflection sit alongside one another rather than being neatly resolved.
The production plays a major role in creating that feeling. Samples appear worn and distant, basslines give the songs their weight, and psychedelic textures blur the edges between individual tracks. There’s enough movement to keep the record grounded in hip-hop, but plenty of space for it to drift somewhere more abstract.
That balance is particularly effective on songs such as “The road I go,” where ~ settles into a measured flow over a dense, atmospheric backdrop. “I’ll get to where I’m going,” featuring KAYEMJAE, carries a stronger sense of momentum, while “Techniques” with Wakai brings some extra bounce into the album without disrupting its overall mood.
As the record develops, the writing becomes increasingly personal. “A walk in my mind” feels like an attempt to translate an internal landscape into sound, while “We’ll make it out again” sits with the harder parts of that process. There’s no attempt to turn struggle into something glamorous. The album simply acknowledges that growth can be messy and that uncertainty is often part of moving forward
“Jacob’s ladder,” featuring Austin Fox, is one of the record’s more patient moments. Its soulful production gradually gathers momentum, allowing the emotion to build without relying on a dramatic payoff. By contrast, closing track “Brand new day” feels open and almost weightless, bringing the album toward a sense of renewal.
What makes Eyes to See and Ears to Hear work is that it never treats personal growth as a finished destination. There’s no grand conclusion waiting at the end of the record. Instead, ~ leaves the listener with something more familiar: the feeling of continuing on, even when the next step isn't completely clear.
It’s an album about paying attention — to the world, to yourself, and to whatever might be waiting just beyond what you already know.
