Russ’ growth as an artist deserves more recognition. While he’s always been known for his blend of singing and rapping, recent months have shown a refinement in his sound. Specifically, his music now carries greater depth, and his song structures exhibit higher quality. Moreover, Russ is expanding his collaborations with producers, moving away from solely crafting tracks himself. His latest single, “Work This Out,” featuring DJ Premier, is a testament to this evolution.

In “Work This Out,” Russ practically pleads with his partner to remain with him despite their minor quarrels and differences. He also suggests strengthening their connection by embarking on a road trip south of Virginia, an idea that seems odd considering Southern Virginia is primarily known for Virginia Beach, which may not live up to its reputation as the ultimate beach destination, and Richmond, which houses a bunch of people that dress like ’06 Gucci Mane.

What I find pretty unique about “Work This Out” is that even though it features DJ Premier production, there aren’t any DJ scratches or hard-hitting boom-bap elements. Instead, we get smooth, piano-heavy production. As for Russ, he acquiesces to the song’s smooth vibes, hitting us with tranquil vocals throughout.

Give “Work This Out” by Russ a shot below.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.