NYC-based producer and vocalist Evoke isn’t afraid to stare straight into the shadows. Their new single “CRYPTID” (and title track of the new EP) is a raw, metaphor-driven song about addiction recovery, queer identity, and mental health, wrapped in moody, hip-hop-infused production.
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Leaning into the imagery of legends like Bigfoot and Mothman, Evoke compares the aftermath of recovery to feeling “both invisible and monstrous.” It’s a brutally honest reflection on life after chaos: “Feel like a creature, like a cryptid. These days kinda miss when I was addicted. Not because I miss the drugs… but I felt like a front-man, like a rockstar.” That push-and-pull between survival and longing hits with startling clarity.
Sonically, “CRYPTID” balances dark atmosphere with crisp, modern production. Tight percussion, glitchy synths, and swelling layers make space for lyrics that read like diary entries. It’s sleek enough for repeat listens but refuses to sand down the grit.
The EP builds out the story, “Fade” confronts PTSD through repetition (“Honestly I wanna be just about anyone else right now”), while “The End” grapples with releasing the past without collapsing into emptiness. Together, they create a project that is polished yet painfully human.
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To top it off, Evoke is dropping a limited cassette release via Bandcamp, blending underground nostalgia with their forward-thinking artistry.
CRYPTID isn’t designed to be “relatable.” It’s an unflinching confession, validating those who feel alien while offering proof that they’re not alone.
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