Towkio finally released his long-anticipated mixtape .Wav Theory this week, delivering what was already looking like a solid effort thanks to early looks at the project with cuts like the beautiful multi-feature track “Heaven Only Knows,” and the Kaytranada-produced songs “Reflection” and “Involved” hitting the net throughout this first quarter of the year. Chance The Rapper’s Acid Rap and Vic Mensa’s INNANETAPE propelled both SaveMoney members to superstardom and put a spotlight on the Chicago scene; with this mixtape Towkio is attempting to get some shine of his own and demonstrate that he’s ready to be the next breakthrough artist out of the Windy City.
This mixtape most of all demonstrates that Towkio’s definitive sound lies closer to Hip Hop with a Pop sensibility, rather than straight-up Rap. Towkio’s flow and cadence is perfect for the dance floor, exemplified by the undeniably danceable tracks “Involved” (feat. Vic Mensa) and “Free Your Mind.” The latter is a beautiful collaboration with Donnie Trumpet that can make you feel like you were partying it up in Studio 54, with Pharrell-like production. “RN” and “Reflection” both boast a more Electronic production as well and luckily it’s well executed, similar to mixtape-era Childish Gambino.
The more traditional Hip Hop moments on .Wav Theory can’t be ignored though. Stephan Ponce’s production on the Chance The Rapper-featuring “Clean Up” is just just plain sick and almost steals the spotlight from the guys commanding the mic. The Leather Corduroys collaboration “God In Me” is throwback Towkio, and even though its testosterone-heavy sound doesn’t align itself with the majority of the tape, it’s a banger; you can’t even blame him for messing with the synergy of the tape with this song on the track list. “Right Now” sounds like something I could hear on the radio in the early 2000s and it even features some tinges of a Kanye West production from that era.
Download .Wav Theory here
Songs like the opener/title track and “Addicted” are more placeholders than anything, which this mixtape could’ve done without, while “Oscillate” and “Break You Off” are ok and are largely outshone by the production.
The shining moment comes in “Heaven Only Knows.” Exquisite production, Towkio’s best verse on the whole tape, Eryn Allen Kane’s gawdly vocals, and another gem feature from Chano makes this one of the hottest tracks of the year so far.
On the second track “Clean Up,” Towkio exclaims “I get it get it, your friends did it, they famous/ And you rap, too, so when you gon’ make it?” It’s safe to say that you only need to give this tape a listen or two to find the answer is “now.”
DOPENESS FACTOR 
Key Tracks: “Clean Up” (feat. Chance The Rapper), “Involved” (feat. Vic Mensa), “Free Your Mind” (feat. Donnie Trumpet),”God In Me” (feat. Leather Corduroys), “Heaven Only Knows” (feat. Chance The Rapper, Lido, Eryn Allen Kane)
