Jeshi explores generational apathy with new EP & single, ‘SCUMBAG’

Over the past few years, Jeshi has built a catalogue of sprawling inspirations, an ear for fractious beats and a gamut of vocal performances all cementing a unique perspective in the British music scene. Slowly and consistently chipping away at a growing discography, he’s started 2025 in much the same manner as Swansea City’s gunman Michu did back in 2013, showing that the previous year wasn’t a blip but an indication of his ability.

With his next full-length album scheduled just days away, Jeshi has treated us to a 4-track EP featuring the single 'SCUMBAG'. The J.D REID produced track continues Jeshi’s particular angle on generational apathy, where he laments on the youthful disillusionment that plagues not just the country’s tarred lungs that is London but lingers like Marlboro smoke across the entire island. Every generation has suffered these same symptoms however it feels like this current flavour is a culmination of all the past worries. This is perhaps why 'SCUMBAG' is imbued with a restlessness that permeates throughout the music’s rhythm section, you can hear the heritage of UK music in the rattling pulse however its darker, glitchy; more mangled—possibly reminiscent of the generational disconnectedness/anxiety we all feel whilst we navigate the limbo between analogue & digital realities.

The references aren’t just musical but even lyrical, a shy vocal sample of a young Dizzee Rascal screaming in the background, less of a nod and more of a spectre from a collective past. One thing I’ve always enjoyed about Jeshi’s music is his ability to illustrate his obstacles whilst also taking a macrocosmic step back and seeing how these same scenes play out, a process shared by your Archy Marshalls and a select few. This comparison doesn’t just stop there, there’s that undercurrent of hope, an acknowledgement of the absurdism that coats the human experience and enjoyment à gogo.

I wish him Godspeed on his musical journey and hopefully, he finds what he’s in pursuit of, in the meantime check out the single, EP and Will Dohrn-directed music video below.