Canada’s underground music scene continues to fluctuate and evolve with artists who prioritize authenticity and vibe over clean polish. Cobes is leaning fully into that approach with his newest release, titled “Older.” The record arrives as a raw and instinctive track. It captures the artist’s current mindset. He is focused, reflective, and determined to keep pushing forward.
Rather than overproducing or overthinking the process, Cobes approached the creation of “Older” with pure instinct. The artist describes a workflow that thrives on emotion. It relies on spontaneity. This approach allows the energy of the moment to guide the final product.
“I constantly like to try new approaches when recording music,” Cobes explains. “With my newer music including ‘Older,’ I just go off feeling. I hear the beat and don’t hesitate for a second. I load up the track, my setup is ready in my bedroom, and I just go off feeling and freestyle.”
That freestyle-first mentality defines the sonic identity of “Older.” According to Cobes, much of what listeners hear in the final version came directly from the first take. Instead of chasing perfection through endless revisions, he intentionally keeps the original recordings intact to preserve authenticity.
“A lot of what I end up keeping in the song is first take,” he says. “I don’t want to overdo it. I want it to feel organic and raw.”
This stripped-back creative approach reflects a broader direction Cobes is embracing for his upcoming releases. The artist hints that his entire wave of music planned for the year will follow the same instinct-driven process. He will let ideas hit naturally and trust the first spark of inspiration.
“All this new music I got dropping this year is going off feeling. It is based on what first hits my brain,” he adds confidently. “And what I find hits… hits.”
The beat for “Older,” produced by his collaborator Taurs, helped spark the freestyle energy that drives the record. Cobes notes that he didn’t rely heavily on outside inspiration while making the track. However, a few modern rap innovators did cross his mind during the creative process.
“I went into the song free-minded and freestyled on this crazy beat. This was thanks to my producer friend Taurs. I wouldn’t say I had too much inspiration,” he explains. “But some names that came to mind while making the song were Playboi Carti and Sofaygo.”
That influence can be felt in the track’s atmospheric delivery. It is also evident in its high-energy melodic approach. These elements have helped shape the sound of modern underground rap. Beyond the music itself, “Older” represents an important turning point in Cobes’ journey as an artist. His career has included both highs and setbacks, but those experiences have helped shape his renewed focus today.
“My career has had a lot of ups and downs. I’ve been doing music, live shows, and much more for a long time,” Cobes says. “Last year I got earned my diploma studying Music Industry Arts at Fanshawe. During that time, I wasn’t dropping much music. I also wasn’t staying consistent.”
That realization sparked a pivot and it was clear that a change needed to be made. Cobes is now focusing entirely on rebuilding momentum. He is reconnecting with the Canadian underground scene. Additionally, he is expanding his network and releasing music more consistently.
“I’m still growing in places like the Toronto underground scene along with my friends, and making connections,” he explains. “With hard work and consistency, I believe good things will happen. I just have to keep focusing on my career. With that renewed mindset, he sees “Older” as a big step forward in his development as an artist. “This song is the first of many,” he says.
Cobes has built a reputation for strong live performances and stage presence. He says he’s been doing this nearly his whole life. The immediate plan is to focus on building momentum online before returning to the stage.
“I love shows and I love the crowd,” Cobes shares. “I feel like I was made to be on stage. But for now I’m focusing on releasing new music, content, and being consistent online before doing more shows.”
If “Older” signals what’s coming next, Cobes’ renewed creative energy could start a powerful new chapter. This could be an exciting phase for the rising Toronto artist.
Listen to “Older” by Cobes
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0xkz89iCTcrGgYu0vHHuWq
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIt7GrvTwlg
Sonus Magazine 