The ever-evolving, electro-soul powerhouse Maddy O’Neal is gearing up towards her next big artistic statement.
Over the course of her career, the Denver-based artist has galvanized fans across the nation with her magnetic soulful bass stylings and hypnotic, hybrid DJ/drum pad live performances – a creative presence that’s led her to perform at renowned festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Ultra Music Festival, earned her a direct support slot at REZZ’s recent Red Rocks show, and a needle drop at the Paris Olympics.
O’Neal is now revving toward her next full-length LP, VITAL SIGNS. Centered around themes of personal evolution – and navigating the emotional waves that come with a changing interior and exterior world – VITAL SIGNS will see O’Neal explore a bevy of genres, and forge her artistic throughline within a wide swath of soundscapes.
Last month, O’Neal gave fans their first taste of VITAL SIGNS with the LP’s lead single, “Locked In,” a collaboration with rapper and frequent GRiZ-collaborator ProbCause. Combining old school dubstep aesthetics with smooth flows from ProbCause, “Locked In” is an acute representation of O’Neal’s genre-blending mastery and an apt tone-setter for the worldbuilding of the VITAL SIGNS era.
Now, the versatile artist unveils the LP’s second single “Run It Back,” a collaboration with Three 6 Mafia co-founder DJ Paul and jamtronica keyboardist/producer Jason Leech. Fusing the virtuosic sensibilities of its three creators, “Run It Back” is a grandiose showcase of trunk-rattling production, shimmering keyboard melodies, and a heavy dose of Memphis hip-hop swagger. The track was the last one made for VITAL SIGNS, and represents a seamless creative partnership between two electronic virtuosos and the rap legend DJ Paul – who Maddy O’Neal met through a three-month bus tour with Cherub.
‘Run It Back’ emerged as the standout futuristic trap anthem on the record, featuring one of my favorite MCs in the game, DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia. Ever since we linked up on the Cherub tour in 2018, I had dreamt of this collaboration and was just waiting for the perfect track to send him. When I began working on this project with Jason Leech, it started as a beautiful piece with Jason’s keys as a central element. As the track evolved, I gradually reworked it into this gritty trap banger, and everything clicked.” – Maddy O’Neal
“Run It Back” kicks off with lush piano chord progressions interspersed with DJ Paul’s signature vocal cadences. Next, the track builds with orchestral drum patterns, deep bass tones, and inspiring lyrical refrains before dropping into its intoxicating first verse – a section that blends a thumping, brass-infused trap beat, with syncopated synth pads and a smooth flow from DJ Paul.
The song then transitions into a kaleidoscopic central section filled with swirling percussion, vocal chops, and ominous arpeggiated piano melodies before stripping back the instrumental to a blend of motivational chord progressions, acid-inspired synth lines, and a symphonic strings Finally, the song builds back up before dropping into its climatic final section – an epic conclusion combining O’Neal’s characteristic future bass wubs with high-speed violin and backing gospel vocals.
“After playing several shows together, Maddy and I discussed starting a fresh collab. She first sent me over a heavy drum beat with an 808 bass, and I laid down the keys that you hear in the intro – early bones that evolved into the rest of the track.
I was floored when Maddy told me that DJ Paul was going to be on the song. This is the first time I’ve shared a project with an artist that I’ve listened to since I was a kid. It’s a real mind trip to experience. Shout out to Maddy for helping me break through the matrix.” – Jason Leech
Fans can catch O’Neal play out “Run It Back” and other VITAL SIGNS tracks on her upcoming tour dates, including at WAKAAN Music Festival, Offbeat Festival, and Suwannee Hulaween.
Maddy O’Neal tour dates
9/5/24: 45 East (Cascade Equinox pre-party) – Portland, OR
9/26/24 – 9/29/24: Wakaan Music Festival – Ozark, Arkansas
10/5/24: Offbeat Festival – Reno, NV
10/25/24: Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL
