released: 31st january, 2026

genre: hip-hop / electronic

from: phoenix, arizona, usa

label: by(e) storm

a few thoughts: it’s easy to say that time flies, but the weight of the grief that one feels after losing someone can make time stop still. stepa j. groggs left us six whole years ago, news that completely shocked me and injury reserve fans around the world. how does one continue making music in the wake of someone’s passing? injury reserve’s last album, by the time i get to phoenix, released in 2021, captured an intensity and beauty that was powerful and was a shift to their catchy yet innovative sound we’ve gotten to know and love. with atmospheric and eclectic soundscapes, the group was able to create a dense, textured and heartfelt project, a powerful meditation on loss and being lost in a world that is crumbling before our eyes. 5 years after the release of that final album, the group, now consisting of ritchie and parker corey, have reinvented themselves as by storm, and have released a stunning new album titled my ghosts go ghost. with guitar-led and electronic compositions throughout, the album feels sonically gentle to the years, yet with a sadness and sombreness in its feeling and in ritchie’s contemplative lyrics. the 9-tracks feel immensely intimate, with lush and gorgeous soundscapes, and an introspection in ritchie’s lyrics that at times genuinely makes me tear up. it’s a stunning album, a type of beauty that makes me want to close my eyes and float away into the abyss. “can i have you for myself” opens the album with a beautiful guitar-led melody, with ritchie reflecting on parenthood, with the line “been us two, it’s finna be three” being especially powerful to me, signalling rebirth in the context of previous death. the intensity of “dead weight”, with its cascading synth leads is intense and powerful, while the gorgeous piano melody on “grapefruit” is incredible. the lush and gorgeous guitar-led melody of “in my town” is incredible, as ritchie explores the difficulties of being an artist in this day and age, struggles of touring and being on the road. it’s an incredibly atmospheric and beautiful moment on the album. the dynamic beat of “zig zag” is dynamic and disorienting, with cascading drum patterns and glitchy electronic moments. “best interest” featuring billy woods has this haunting melody, as both emcees questioning people’s motives and interests when the world is crumbling and deteriorating. “double trio 2” has these emphatic synth leads and an intense, grandiose energy that feels so immense throughout. the catchy and playful “and i dance” is an optimistic change of pace, with colourful synths and an infectious energy, as ritchie dances through all his struggles. “ggg” closes the album out with incredible intimacy, as he reflects on the passing of stepa, over these stunning acoustic guitar melodies and piano leads. it’s a perfect way to conclude a stunning and impactful album. my ghosts go ghost is an intimate and profoundly beautiful album that captures ritchie’s vulnerability – both relatable and poignant, set against eclectic and immersive soundscapes that showcase parker corey’s talents as a producer. already a favourite this year, and i feel like i’ll be continuously returning to this album over the next few years. i’m blown away.

the album: