Eighteen, Jaded and Forever Driven: FearDorian’s Leaving Home
Graphic by Mateo Krygowski
by mateo krygowski
FearDorian: eighteen, jaded and forever driven. The Atlanta-based rapper and producer returns with his sophomore release Leaving Home that includes samples from They Are Gutting A Body of Water, Boards of Canada, and Cocteau Twins. Undefeated and effortlessly dejected in his display. It’s the rapper’s best work to date.
FearDorian, also known as Dorian Williams, has been on a terrific streak the past few years. “BOYBAND” featuring Polo Perks put him on the map as a sample-heavy producer, mixing old sounds into bass-layered gems. His current success mainly stems from his 2024 self-titled album, along with a separate collaborative side project with AyoLii and Polo Perks, A Dog’s Chance. In October, he went on a European tour with rapper RiTchie: ten shows, spanning from Dublin to Warsaw.
2024 stands as an exceedingly productive and impressive year for the young artist. His growth is easily apparent on his newest album, Leaving Home. You can hear it in his voice, flowing in and out of personal accounts and first-world problems that plague young hearts every now and then. With this universal angst, Dorian makes sure to keep his disgust at a minimum, allowing the beat to take control. Repeating a five-second segment of a nameless tune, forgotten in fragments, only to be resurrected by Dorian himself, sewing in distant frames of elysian imagery. It’s too late to look back now, inundated with the sun-kissed memories of the present, still as bright as ever.
The inclusion of “Over the Horizon Radar” by Boards of Canada on track 8, “I.V.,” is a perfect illustration of these ignited daydreams. “Over The Horizon Radar” is a piece that has shaped a large part of who I am today, as it has for many others. It stands as a siren call to the birth of a young identity, infinite as it permeates in peace. Dorian’s distinctive mixing respects the original song sampled, including his playful flow into the blend, flexing his achievements, as well as revealing his humiliations. Yet, by the next song, we are back to a steady beat that begs to be moshed to. Flipping through the sounds of what makes him the person he is today.
Although, this honesty isn’t always meant to be taken seriously. Dorian tends to switch back and forth between misanthropic ideations and conceited ramblings, which sounds uninviting when written down. Somehow, knowing Dorian and his achievements, the presentation is uniquely rewarding for its listeners, especially if the samples given are already some of your favorite songs from your favorite artists.
The album also features contributions from quinn, Klein, Polo Perks, and RiTchie. Filling in any of the gaps that could have existed if Dorian were to repeat what he accomplished on his first album, incorporating his biggest inspirations into his potent drive to complete his vision. At the project's core, these collaborations and samples allow for Dorian to reach his objective as an artist. He cultivates a sound that's true to him, dividing what is known into a new and incredibly fun product.
Leaving Home is an impressive testament to FearDorian’s evolution as an artist, seamlessly blending nostalgia with a modern experimental edge. Contradictory in its nature—melancholic yet vibrant, intimate yet expansive. It refuses to settle, much like Dorian himself. It’s this restless ambition that makes his work so captivating; an artist trying to grasp at memories, sounds, and emotions that are slipping through his fingers. Songs like “Pressure” and “Gotta Be” dive deep into these themes, utilizing muddied samples and washed-out vocal ambience to create an ethereal, almost ghostly effect. Meanwhile, tracks like “Forecasting” and “Aspen” contrast this with hard-hitting bass and brash delivery, proving that Dorian isn’t content with being boxed into a single sound.
This newest project proves that FearDorian is not just another rising artist but one that is actively shaping the future of underground hip-hop. His ability to reshape fragments of the past into something uniquely his own is a skill few artists can master so effortlessly. The production is intricate but never overwhelming, allowing Dorian’s lyrics to breathe and resonate. Some tracks feel deeply introspective, while others embrace the raw energy of youthful recklessness, a balance that makes this album both cohesive and surprising.
On January 31st, FearDorian performed an album release show at Elsewhere in New York with RiTchie. The event was a celebration of everything he’s built so far—a sonic journey through the past, present, and future of his artistry. With such a strong sophomore effort, the question now isn’t whether FearDorian will continue to grow, but just how far he’s willing to take it.