OneFour’s ‘Look At Me Now’ Review: A Bold Step Beyond Drill Music

Six years in the making, OneFour’s ‘Look At Me Now’ album blends raw drill energy with emotional depth and pop influences.

A Journey Six Years in the Making

After six long years, OneFour, the Samoan-Australian quartet, has finally dropped their debut album, Look At Me Now. This group—J Emz, Spenny, Celly, and Lekks—emerged in 2019 as the torchbearers of Australia's drill scene, a genre heavily influenced by the UK drill wave and stars like Pop Smoke. Their aggressive flow over sliding 808s in viral tracks such as “The Message” and “Spot The Difference” earned them international recognition, rubbing shoulders with big names like Headie One and The Kid Laroi.

Struggles Beyond the Spotlight

Despite their gold-certified Against All Odds EP, OneFour’s journey hasn’t been smooth. The members have faced significant legal hurdles, including notorious incidents like the 2018 Rooty Hill pub brawl that landed Lekks and Celly behind bars. Authorities tried to clamp down on their performances, blaming their music for inciting violence. But OneFour’s raw passion for rap sparked a movement—a voice for marginalized communities bearing the brunt of societal failures. This album is more than just music; it’s a statement.

Beyond Drill: A Sonic Evolution

If you’re expecting non-stop drill bangers, get ready to be surprised. Look At Me Now shows the group evolving, mixing drill with pop and melodic rap. The opener, “Change,” starts with gentle piano keys and booming drums, featuring North London’s Potter Payper. The song is a reflection on overcoming life’s challenges.

“I’m proud of where I come from, I be proud to be in it. Do it for the kids and lads from housing commission,” raps Celly with heartfelt pride.

From there, the album veers into pop territory. “Father’s Day” fuses drill beats with EDM energy, while “Family” has J Emz, the unofficial frontman, singing Auto-Tuned melodies about loyalty and kinship. Cinematic horns swell, but the familiar drill themes of toughness and bravado can feel a bit repetitive.

Emotional Depth and Personal Growth

Songs like the title track “Look At Me Now” reveal personal struggles. Lekks wrestles with his faith and street life:

“They confused on how I’m Christian when I’m talking ’bout them killings… I was raised to be an angel, but the streets made me a villain.”

J Emz, Celly, and Spenny also share their reflections on loyalty, loss, and the consequences of their choices. This track paints a complex picture of men caught between their past and the hope for a better future.

Innovative Collaborations and UK Drill Influence

The album features collaborations with UK drill heavyweights like K-Trap, Abra Cadabra, Nemzzz, and Headie One. These partnerships mostly work well, showcasing a genuine transcontinental connection. For example, “Gang Ties” with Headie One blends the gritty Aussie style with the Tottenham rapper’s cool delivery. Abra Cadabra stands out on “Movie,” his menacing tone perfectly complementing OneFour’s raw vibe. However, K-Trap’s spot on “Bricks & Mortar” feels less inspired—more routine than memorable.

Balancing Unity and Individuality

OneFour always sound like a single, united force—each member tagging in mid-battle with a fierce energy. But on Look At Me Now, that unity sometimes blurs their individual voices, making their stories meld together rather than standing out solo. Still, the album is a strong debut: gritty yet introspective, offering a window into OneFour’s world and a hint of the explosive potential still ahead.

Vibrant Pop-Drill Fusion

A shining moment is “Phone Call,” a catchy, pop-infused track featuring UK pop star Mabel. It’s a break from boastful drill bragging, replaced with warped vocal chops, delicate guitar plucks, and rhythmic 808s. The interpolation of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love?” adds a familiar warmth to the song’s fresh sound.

Close in tone is “Distant Strangers,” a brooding track that captures emotional distance and fractured relationships. The Kid Laroi and Imogen Heap lend raw, yearning vocals that contrast the cold production, making it one of the album’s most vulnerable tracks.

Album Details

• Release Date: June 13, 2025
• Record Label: OneFour Records / The Orchard

Conclusion

Look At Me Now is more than a drill album—it’s a bold mix of raw street stories, personal growth, and genre-bending experimentation. OneFour have laid down a solid foundation to build upon, proving their music can be both powerful and introspective. What do you think—will this album be the spark that ignites Australia’s drill scene worldwide?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes OneFour’s ‘Look At Me Now’ different from typical drill albums?
  The album expands beyond traditional drill by incorporating pop-rap elements and emotional storytelling, showcasing the group’s growth and versatility.
• Who are the main members of OneFour?
  The group consists of J Emz, Spenny, Celly, and Lekks.
• What inspired the album’s themes?
  Many tracks reflect the struggles of growing up in marginalized communities, dealing with loyalty, street life, faith, and personal change.
• Are there any notable collaborations on the album?
  Yes, OneFour worked with UK artists such as Headie One, K-Trap, Abra Cadabra, Mabel, The Kid Laroi, and Imogen Heap.
• Where can I listen to or buy ‘Look At Me Now’?
  The album is available on major streaming platforms and physical copies may be found through OneFour Records and The Orchard.

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