Boombox Cartel is back with statement-making extension of ‘Cartel’ EP series, ‘Cartel II’

by: Ariel King May 21, 2021

Four years ago, Boombox Cartel would begin his early command of the electronic context with the release of his debut EP, Cartel. Nearly every festival set throughout 2017 and 2018 integrated his singles “Jefe” and “Alamo,” the tracks becoming inescapable, instantaneous hits following their accreditation on the April 2017 offering. Now, as festivals are beginning to ramp up once again, Boombox Cartel has returned with the breakthrough EP’s follow-up, Cartel II.

In the months leading up to Cartel II’s release, Boombox Cartel has steadily shared a slew of singles, including “Shadow,” a slinking collaboration with Moody Good, the rowdy single “Reaper” that entrusts J.I.D with verse duties, and the EP’s lead single, “Màquina.” A timely kickstarter to a new festival season that temporally follows in the footsteps of Cartel in this regard, Cartel II toggles Boombox Cartel’s signature trap offerings while delving deeper into experimental bass and engaging even darker undertones on each Cartell II collaboration. Whereas Cartel was sonically synonymous with brightness and good times, flying down the freeway and laughing with a group of friends, Cartel II puts forth anxious tones, supernatural spheres, and not-quite nightmares.

From an organizational standpoint, the EP’s tracklist is fluidly stitched together in a cohesive cacophony of distinctive sounds that can stand on their own or seamlessly meld. Moody Good, Calivania, Reese LaFLARE, and J.I.D. all feature on Cartel II, boosting Boombox Cartel’s broiling guest list.

Between both EPs, Boombox Cartel had been hard at work on a series of singles that quickly became familiar for all festival-goers. Both 2018 and 2019 saw five one-offs each (nearly enough for Boombox to have created two additional extended plays). Jump back to the present, however, and Boombox Cartel can be found plotting his Máquina Tour for the fall of 2021. The supporting initiative is slated to start off at Los Angeles’ famed Shrine Expo Hall in September, with more dates expected in the coming months.

Pushing forward from where Cartel had left off, Boombox Cartel allows listeners to see just how far he has come in these past four years. Cartel II will serve as a welcome return to the festival circuit, and is sure to land as many hits as his first EP.