Let’s set the scene. You’re waiting in line at the bank when suddenly the doors literally explode open. There’s rubble everywhere people are in shocked and confused, and amidst the chaos a man with a ski mask and a large burlap sack with a big dollar sign on the side walks through the cloud of dust. Suddenly in a discord join call sound plays, and your skull is rattled by the words “BIG BAG” spoken in the same thick layers of the SEGA jingle. The man approaches you, smiles kindly, and says “would you like to get your money up?”, before knocking you out. You later wake up at the bottom of an empty pool. At this moment you are immensely confused, and to be fair so it everyone else reading this article. But if all this doesn’t put you off from our anti-hero Intentions, then do I have an adventure for you.

It’s no secret that my enjoyment threshold for pure bred hyperpop isn’t necessarily high, and my personal wheelhouse is more hyperpop derived sounds making guest appearances in other genres, but even in spite of that fact this is an album that still has a lot to offer (even to someone like me). MR. BIG BAG is the 6th full length album from producer Intentions, and it’s a fast-paced mash of genre transcending sound design, hard hitting collaborations, and so, so much shit posting. The projects third track PAYCUT is easily my favourite off the project (which is predictable with my long history of preaching the good word of it’s feature, han.irl) with a blend of low bit rate blips and bloops, heavy and abrasive bass lines, and some wild arpeggios at its peak. Its vocals range from soft and contained to straight up screaming transitioning into the first drop, while still feeling consistent in its energy and pacing. It’s a masterful balance and even without a feature this track would be a highlight, as there’s just such a wide variety in what it cohesively accomplishes in moments like when it moves directly from it’s bridge with it’s epic trailer deep voice over, to it’s outro section that transcends hyperpop convention and moves into dubstep sound design territory. It’s a fascinating blend.

Moving past track 3 I would love to talk about how much I adore the sound design of U NOT ME, or about how the lineup on LAX is crazy (and how Glitch Gum somehow broke our Spotify monitoring bot by simply existing? still haven’t worked out that one) but it feels like a disservice to talk about this songs singles exclusively, when it’s extensive 21 track runtime has so much to look at. So moving past those, AHH, U MAD! with flatroom feels like something made specifically for festival play. This track is not just fast paced, but it’s energy evokes incredibly specific memories of attending Veld music festival in 2018, and I adore it’s quick choppy synths, it’s switch between different club adjacent structures, and it’s random inclusion of a sample of “Good Time” by Owl City (I won’t tell the lawyers it’s ok). It’s a song that hits so many different things in just under 4 minutes despite spending it’s entire final minute shit posting. It’s an incredibly specific skill Intentions possesses to pull this off without it seeming out of place, and for that I bring nothing but respect to the table

With all that said, I want to take covering deep cuts deeper. Let’s delve beyond the chaotic universe of the BIG BAG and move back to march of this year, in a discord call for a beat competition hosted by BigIrrelevant. I attended and competed in this competition along side Intentions, but my contribution to that night is irrelevant here, as our protagonist produced in 30 minutes a generational masterpiece. The Lebron Song while never being publicly released, is potentially one of the most impactful songs I’ve ever heard, chronicling the love and reverence we hold for our Lord and Laker, Lebron Raymone James. In this piece of transcendent art we are reminded through atmospheric synth washes and the soft delicate voice of Intentions that Lebron truly is our sunshine, and the way his dribbled brings us light. Overall, I think this is a piece of work that we can all learn a thing or two from, and even reflect on the morals and lessons Lebron would want us to carry with us. On a more real note, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder in a music related environment than I did listening to this song premier during the very first round of a long night of competition. The vibe was perfect, and to be quite honest I do not even remember who won that competition (or how much money I got paid for third for that matter), but I DO remember the Lebron song, which in my opinion is far more important as an artist than arbitrary placement in a competition.

I bring up the Lebron song just to drive home a single point: Intentions is an enigma of a producer. And on top of being an enigma, he’s funny. I adore the balance between taking yourself seriously and cracking jokes for the hell of it, because ultimately music is meant to spread joy. Is there anything that evokes joy more than an interlude proclaiming how MR. BIG BAG saved someones life by helping them get their cash up? Or past that what could cause you to crack a smile more than worship music for our savior Lebron? Intentions is simply fun music, simple as that, and as someone who’s repeatedly preached that I think we need some more fun in our day by day, this is exactly what I think we all need.