North Ravi swings for the fences with “Barry Bonds Freestyle”

North Ravi’s newest single, “Barry Bonds Freestyle,” defies tradition out of the fucking park. Straight off his experimental EP ‘Fragments,’ it’s not so much a song as a raw, unfiltered look into the musician’s thoughts, delivered over an inventive beat that makes it clear he won’t be playing by anyone else’s rules. “Barry Bonds Freestyle” takes the spirit of its namesake and runs with it from its outset, powerful, brazen, unapologetically larger than life. Ravi does what he’s unconventionally good at and makes the freestyle his own personal, even vulnerable, thing, letting songwriting become a window into sections of his psyche that even words can’t contain.

It’s experimental without being unapproachable, combining strange textures and rhythms that keep listeners on their toes. That’s an intentional left-field vibe that gives it individuality and a breath of fresh air for anyone weary of formulaic structures. The beat may change, and the cadence may swerve, but Ravi is not in control and is laser-focused on his verse, like a painter composing an original piece on his nontraditional canvas. What makes “Barry Bonds Freestyle” truly pop is its refusal to color within the lines. But North Ravi is building his own lane, unafraid to dwell on the fragments of himself that don’t fit into one box.

The result is a song that sounds simultaneously intimate and bold, which is a tricky balance to strike in the age of bedroom-pop confessionals. ‘fragments’ in its entirety looks set to be a fascinating project for anyone who has ever wondered where modern music can go when an artist completely disregards the rulebook. “Barry Bonds Freestyle” is a bold introduction to that world, inviting listeners into Ravi’s distinct creative headspace, where vulnerability comes face to face with innovation. North Ravi’s “Barry Bonds Freestyle” is a daring shot for the fences.