Fixation turned self-sacrificial in the Midwest Emo-tinged Trap Pop haze of Trukadi’s THINKIN’ STRAIGHT –

An amalgamation of Midwest emo, trap, pop and alt rock was always going to hit with a certain degree of distinction, but with their sonic synthesis, THINKIN’ STRAIGHT, the breakthrough alternative artist Trukadi brought down the hammer of authenticity hard enough to leave bruises on your rhythmic pulses. Every aesthetic, every motif, every razor-sharp introspective lyric weighs heavy as Trukadi explores how romantic obsessions can become self-destructive addictions, where you’d sacrifice parts of yourself just for another hit, where everything else loses meaning. Undoubtedly, we’ve all been there, leaving everyone susceptible to the limerence that radiates around the darker, deeper tendrils of distortion injected into the genre-defying mix.

With enough talent to put Midwest emo in the mainstream, few people are likely to underestimate what Trukadi is capable of as he continues to build his discography. His newest release also marks a shift behind the curtain as he commits to more intentionally constructed work. After experimenting with glitch hop touches and trap-leaning drums on earlier drops, he stepped into a grittier alternative direction, letting yearning and emotional dependence colour the soundscape rather than relying on technical flourishes.

The music video accompanying the track reinforces that intent. His choices in colour, styling and the framing of his guitar pull together a clearer visual identity, hinting at how seriously he’s beginning to shape his artistic world. It sits comfortably beside the introspection that drives the single, capturing longing, compulsion and blurred emotional edges without drifting away from the pop accessible core.

THINKIN’ STRAIGHT is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast