GRiZ Goes Back to Where It All Began With Final EP Before Hiatus: Listen to “Ouroboros”

by Michael Ryan · Published October 6, 2023

Typically depicting a snake devouring its own tail, the "ouroboros" represents the never-ending cycle of death and rebirth, a motif GRiZ knows well.

Back in June, he announced his plans to take time off from his career to focus on his personal life. The time has now come for GRiZ to say goodbye, but before he goes, he's treated fans to one last EP that calls upon his roots.

Titled Ouroboros, the record opens with a message from GRiZ thanking fans for all the support over the years and wishing them well before he departs. Leading things off is "Drop In," a funky track that will resonate with fans of his earliest releases thanks to its soulful keys and filthy wobbles. Elsewhere, he stuns with "Is There Any Love," a heady anthem with plenty of saxophone and chopped-up vocal samples for his day-one fans.

The downtempo and minimal sounds of "F A D I N G" then give way to the wompy, free-spirited anthem "Falling Flying" as a nod to fans of GRiZ's more experimental sound. After a quick intermission, he begins Ouroboros' grand finale with a pair of gargantuan tracks that demonstrate how he became one of the biggest names in modern-day bass music.

A collaboration with ProbCause, "Knucklepuck" is a filthy funkstep and hip-hop hybrid that smacks with a lethal dose of wobbles. Closing on a bittersweet note is "Better From Here," which starts with distant sax patterns layered with gentle, ethereal keys. As the song progresses, GRiZ flings headlong into a smooth and intricate dubstep jam, putting the spotlight on the trusty brass companion that's taken him from local shows to headlining performances all over the world.

Listen to Ouroboros below and find the EP on streaming platforms here.