Nava Drops, formerly known as Nava Drops Bars, has been independently releasing a robust catalog of tracks since 2020. Now, he returns with his seven-track album Wonderlust Project, showcasing a new direction in his musical journey. Nava Drops pivots from his hip-hop roots to embrace an indie-pop sound that is sure to leave fans eager for more.
Wonderlust Project represents a departure from Nava Drops’ previous work. Trading in 808s for guitars, he pairs his hard-hitting vocals with melodies reminiscent of vintage rock. When asked about the shift, Nava Drops said, “People would say it’s completely out of left field. I made pure hip-hop music leading up to this album, so to have Wonderlust Project show up in the same playlists as Weezer or Jelani Aryeh is pretty cool.”
We spoke with Nava Drops to dissect how Wonderlust Project came together. He explained, “Wonderlust Project is the culmination of two years of personal creative exploration into making indie, acoustic, and indie-pop music. I moved to Boston for a year for school, and that change in scenery pushed me to explore a new indie sound. I wanted my songs to be catchy and guitar-driven, but still have hard-hitting lyrics because of my background as a rapper.”
Tracks like the intro, “Saltburn Honeybees,” and “Are You Listening?” highlight Nava Drops’ ability to break free from the rapper label and evolve as a versatile artist. “Train to TriBeCa” and “Highs n Lows” carry an ambient feel, once again showcasing his skill in seamlessly blending vocals with acoustic guitar melodies.
Wonderlust Project is a testament to Nava Drops’ versatility as an artist. Filled with guitar-driven melodies and an impressive vocal performance, Nava Drops proves he is more than just a rapper—he’s here to stay.
Listen to Wonderlust Project below.
