We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Sly Arts

by The Fourth Horse

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $6.99 USD  or more

     

1.
Open Book 04:18
Cognition, emotion and behavior No volition when distraction is my savior On a mission but I'm lacking in my labor Try to listen but it isn't in my nature, nature I only hear my own thoughts My body might be present in this home but I'm not I've gotta tow my own lot Can't escape my programming like I'm a robot This is all that I've got Everything I could ever need and it don't mean squat Tryna move on but I'm caught Can only blame myself for this pain that I've brought Thought what I felt wasn't right Left to the spot where we dealt with our pain through the night Taming my brain out of spite Nah, I'm too angry to make any instance look bright Your mental fitness seems tight Why can't I just bring myself to get with this tonight Only reason that I spit this is to feel alright All I'm needing is a witness to my fear and fright Here's your opportunity to peer inside my mind If you really wanna get to know me listen to my rhymes Every tape that I drop is a little piece of myself Might seem on track but I'm not, this brittle soul I was dealt I'm so full of what I've felt I'm so full of what I've felt I'm so full of what I've felt I'm so full of what I've felt Dish what I get dealt, at least it covers up the bruises Ditch the pain I've felt and I'll replace it with aloofness Switch up on my pills and I'm not waking 'til the noon hits Wish that I could rest in peace but I don't wanna lose this Just pieces of a whole life Something don't feel right Think I'd better hold tight Then I'm sinking in the sofa for a whole night Drinking in the darkness, simply searching for a bold light Yeah right Feeding off of poison like a mold mite Bleeding onto pages every day just left in cold fright Hefting hurt through stages of my being Never hearing, never seeing Whether clear headed or weaning I'm just tryna find some meaning You could say I'm putting pen to paper typing on my phone All my friends and family in my hands but I'm still here alone It's a freedom, it's a choice to place my footsteps on my own Never need another soul to face the aging of my bones Not a life that I'd condone I'm in over my head, it's time to work with my hands Grind to meet the demands and keep on beat with my plans Mind is set on the brand, hell I've already got fans But still don't feel like a man, I worry I don't have legs to even stand in the hurry Although my vision is grand it's getting blurry I don't think you could even understand all the fury I'm feeling it purely Gotta know me to cure me If you can't heal me just lure me Steal me away from this place prematurely 'Cause I've lived in this state too long It's always dragging me down although it's made you strong It's a challenge to appreciate what felt so wrong What we can salvage is the balance Black and white thoughts Trapped in a tight spot Slacking on quite a lot Might crack but I might not Fight back 'til my last chance Right track with the wrong stance My lacking is expansive Tackling finances I've got a lot to live for A lot to die for Try to give more My mind is a bit sore I'm rhyming to ignore The energies in force The lethargy fills me I'm cleverly killing My memory swilling I'm generally willing But reverie's building I'm slenderly wilting I'm endlessly dealing With hell and I'm reeling This threat is too real, I'm about to keel over Brain's wet, I can't feel No one's keeping me sober Man won't bake a meal, can't even call me a loafer I'm about to strike out so I'ma run it to Homer
2.
I'm always making progress No mistakes in my process You're always tryna follow rules and I'm here living lawless My generation's flawless You just can't take the rawness We raise the stakes when we make claims 'cause our ideas are polished Ironic memes are published You geezers call it rubbish Squeezing triggers at your brothers and you call us hopeless We all just lack some focus Need to attain some closeness Need to refrain from our indulgences and leave this whole mess Each of us is on a journey Reaching, always in a hurry Preaching, points are getting blurry Teach each other not to worry A change isn't always good as a rest But sleeping dogs don't know best A change isn't always good as a rest But sleeping dogs don't know best A change isn't always good as a rest But sleeping dogs don't know best Need a fresh start for society Breaking my heart when you lie to me Can't seem to live how I try to be Can't seem to live how I try to be Wish I had the means to sail open seas But the cost is high to do what you please Got about enough green just to meet my needs But the cash flow's slow, gotta find new leads And I've gotta pay a price if I wanna provide Work hard to play hard, gotta make up my mind When I think too much it'll take up the time Ain't getting paid for that, I'd better make up my mind I ain't a snowflake, I'm upset that my whole world is fucked Should I be opposed to feeling for my brothers that are stuck? Am I just supposed to deal with daily trudging through the muck? I can't work toward my dreams, it all comes down to luck Tear trends apart from the seams, let tendencies run amok Help friends succeed and achieve, don't trade them off for a buck Have some trust and believe, keep on passing the puck You might think I'm naïve, I've seen the truth and I'm struck
3.
Hold Back 02:36
I've gotta hold back My temptation is a victim of circumstance I've gotta hold back The way that you work has me in a trance I've gotta hold back Liberation is within my reach, I can feel it I've gotta hold back Litigation won't deter my speech, best believe it I've gotta hold back Talking 'bout a bad idea, I'll conceive it I've gotta hold back Lock it out and toss the key, I'll retrieve it I've gotta hold back Chasing after power, when I find it then I leave it I've gotta hold back Wasting hour after hour 'til I wanna scream "I quit" I'm just tryna do everything every day All the time in every way, it doesn't leave me time to play Got my engine running, running 'til it's gone astray Sun and moon don't rise today All this darkness I create God, don't start this breakaway Don't think I can handle it Not since I was branded with this label I was stranded with Unable to expand my mind Stable enough to maintain my crimes Toe the line and break my spine Wait 'til I obtain what's mine Reparations, write a rhyme All that I can offer Preparations, pressed on time Pretending I was stronger Expecting that I'll see a sign, I'll wait a little longer Projecting all that's in my mind, defend what little honor I have left I'm a goner like the rest More myself when I'm possessed Fight or fly when I get stressed All these thoughts left unexpressed All this tension in my chest Never mentioned, never guessed After thinking I'd progressed I'm compelled to be obsessed I was thrice expelled from society Thought twice when I learned you'd lie to me Never knew that you were a spy to be It wasn't true when you said you'd die for me But now that chapter's over Time's come to capture closure Your gimmick's getting older I limit my exposure I'm not a poser, I just don't know what to say Tell you what you want to hear, it seems the safest way Working hard for near a year, rewards have a delay Finally getting something for the price I had to pay Wait, not quite perfect Wishing I could live forever, tryna dodge impermanence Listing all the things I never did just 'cause of nervousness Trapped inside my chrysalis, aching for metamorphosis I know that I've been forcing this, I just can't keep my mind on nothing else Need the time to pass a little slower 'til I find good health Appreciate support but I need to apply a little stealth Incorporate a little love, only this time for myself
4.
Everything is shades of gray Like clouds in my mind Sure my feelings fade today But I've got so much time Start to let myself decay Just to pay for my crimes There must be another way Than to reason with rhyme You're tearing me back and forth Back and forth You're tearing me back and forth Back and forth You're tearing me You're tearing me Don't know what to do with my days Hate that I'm so set in my ways They're telling me that it's just a phase But I know better Yeah I know better They're telling me Relic, man why you so hectic I'm well into twenties and still can't direct it My pleasure is plenty, can't measure the cost Never too many when logic is lost Prodigal prodigy, give me some props Tragedy, comedy, too bad it's all on me Spirit is damned and man, that's the policy Lyrics got family calling the cops Honestly people can't handle my chops Modestly reaping and sowing the crops All of our actions have repercussions You're blushing and crushing, I start and I stop My heart is a rock Starting to soften, I laugh when you talk No part of me's bluffing, I crave your discussion You're brave and I'm hushing, myself at a loss What have I got to offer Naught in my coffer, can't spot you a dollar Not much of a gentleman caller There's a fine line between lover and stalker I'm already a rocker Keeping it steady but no path to prosper Talented starving author Gallant so I plan to meet her and lock her Transcalent, listener, not a talker I'ma call her and block her Becoming a baller but still getting stuffed in the locker It's a shocker man Watching the clock or I lose too much time Walking the block, been abused, take what's mine A fly on the wall just trying to ball Must lie to 'em all when I come to bust rhymes You're tearing me back and forth Back and forth You're tearing me back and forth Back and forth You're tearing me You're tearing me
5.
God's Gift 03:19
Staring at the wall, wishing I was laughing Thinking 'bout my people and my projects and my passions Really can't be evil if I don't make any actions I'm a recluse in my studio, make records and retractions I'm smoking my herb, making my inspections Just thinking 'bout her when I try to find direction I'm writing these words, staring down my own reflection My voice is unheard when I try to make connections I can't help it, I'm trying to grow Don't tell me, I already know You've felt me from the head to the toe Pouring out my soul while I'm smoking the drow All these ups and downs, I stop and I go Smile then a frown, waiting for tomorrow Looking like a clown when I'm up at the show If only you could know all of the weight that I tow Living my life in full stereo Dealing with strife, tryna keep the tempo Keeping it light, I lick and I roll Cutting my salvation with a lil tobacco Giving demonstrations behind the back row In smaller situations I find that I glow Feeling my elation when you're hearing me flow Forgetting my abrasions when I suck and I blow Why do I love you? Why do I hate you? Why do I feel the deep need to create you? Don't let the stealing and dealing frustrate you Release your labors and let vapors straight through Talk to your neighbors, they might be in on it too Thousands of flavors, it's satisfying as food Maybe that's why I don't give my body its due Wasting away until I can't call myself Drew I'm just tryna take a daily vacation Despite the stakes I wanna reach relaxation How come my access gotta lean on legislation? I work for my money, spend it all on recreation The only reason that they call it abuse is they can't comprehend the use Rant and judge and bend the truth The only seasons I can't stand to be clean are the summers when its green And the winters in between I'm admitting that my only excuse is I don't wanna tie the noose I'm just tryna hang loose I'm committing to avoid the machine Spread joy on the scene Now that I found my vaccine I shouldn't have to spend my last dime on my medicine I wouldn't feel the need to pass time if it weren't for him Who said that it should be a crime to enjoy a sin? I took it from a pastime to employment A pastime to employment Not I gotta write a fast rhyme to enjoy this How I take it to the last line to avoid shit Lazy wasting time with cracked eyes, take a joint hit Hazy remembering fat thighs but it's pointless Blazing it up in my pad, thai sticks in orbit Raising my cup to the sad lies, heart's so boarded "Keep to yourself, he's a mad guy, art's so morbid" Floating on the ocean while I'm smoking locomotion Toke until I'm broke and all my thoughts unspoken Is it a blessing or a curse, haven't decided yet I guess I'll leave it up to you, go 'head and place a bet
6.
I want you But I don't know what you are All these traits that I used to hate When I see you flaunt them it sets me straight I was raised to see all the worst in me I love you 'cause you show how evil I could be I'll let you come to me Who am I kidding See what you wanna see Don't know if I'm ready Ain't no blood running through these veins I work on fumes of hope and fear Trudge through mud just to reach more pain And nurse my wounds with a smoke and beer Who am I to reach you? I deserve to be alone The only thing that I can teach you Is to never share your throne No one wants to learn that lesson So I'll hold it on my own No one wants to learn that lesson I need you to take it down a notch Shut your mouth, you're tryna stick around a lot Keeping on you're gonna put me in the ground I thought Leave it to yourself and let me make a sound or not You're playing games Come and seek me out until we're taking names Wanna speak until the sun comes up in flames Gonna leave if you don't let me take the reigns Funny that I'm placing blame on a soul that I can't tame I spend all of my days just waiting Can't pretend that I'm not caught in a haze of baiting On the mend but haven't brought on a way of changing Better end when the means are of my creation taken verbatim I'm only faking Ain't no truth in this I lose my shit Don't be mistaken Ain't no proving that I'm over it I call it quits I'm frustrated by the limitations Captivated by the cycles and the ruminations I hate it that the tidal waves are causing complications Waiting 'til the right girl comes along and saves me from my patience Blatantly reciting all the sorrow and the fluctuations Constantly contriving all the impossible expectations Can't seem to find my way So I want you to need a mind to save Never flaunt when I hate how I behave Severed thoughts in a rage when I leave the stage, picking up the page It's too easy making enemies in this town Would you believe me if I told you that I'd stick around? Couldn't conceive any reason that you'd be leaving It's the season of treason and I'm bereaving, just can't live down All that there's left to do is spit now All I can say is I'ma stay to lay this shit down All that I pray I pave a way for you to get down Cast away the disarray and pass the tray I'm acting like a lit clown I think you're gonna want me just until you get to know me better It's always sunny when your honey doesn't show the weather It's funny running with someone tryna control me Whether or not I'm a person or a fucking robot Been ducking a whole lot Stuck in the same old spot Shaming my name, faux pas Struck with the blame, oh God Hate on me, well I hope not Bait on sea, now I'm so caught Plate's empty, had one shot Now I'm in deep, need a mascot Reminds me of times when we spoke and fought How me smoked and coughed Now we're broken off Find I'm trapped in a fast thought Mind unraveled the last knot I'm aching over this You can't see me But my fingers won't make fists 'Cause I'm dreaming We thought we knew the way But it's a foolish wish All the love I feel today Could never cure this itch I'll bet you never knew That it would come to this I know I didn't I know I didn't I know I didn't
7.
Goals 02:34
I don't know you You never do what I expect Feel tense and at ease when I'm next to you Every day I'm tryna keep the devil off my back But every day there's another devil on its way Sometimes I feel like there's no escape What else can I do? But light one up? Yeah right, you think that I would show my face tonight? After everything I've done today to keep the pressure light 'Cause every time I take a bite somebody's gotta bite back I'm just tryna keep myself alone and on the right track Finally make a habit pushing myself on the bike path Grinding through the day until the darkness brings the light back Yeah, I'm gonna reach my goals But I'm gonna take a while I've been coasting a long time Thankfully there's no such thing as waste Just gotta take some space The last thing we learn in life is who we are And to someone I'm a star Take it, take it, take it right back To the point when you knew What it meant to be you In this world without truth Take it right back To the moment in your youth When you first stepped in the booth And found it was so soothing I blame myself for the sleep I've been losing I tame my thoughts with the smoking and boozing Got a knot in my stomach though I'm cruising There's a lot of loneliness in this illusion I've always thought that my presence was an intrusion And now I'm caught tryna pay my penance of seclusion Stranded in a cycle of depression and delusion Admitting that I've got a couple blessings I'm abusing Days like these ain't no time to pick and choose And I'm trying to see through but can't believe how deep this ruse is I'm on a quest to venture deep inside my mind Only answer that I find is that I'm just a confused kid
8.
I've got so much to do Priorities askew Comatose, I can't come to I love wasting my time I'm rarely in the zone My hopes, my dreams unknown Old feelings overblown Print my pain in a rhyme Walking home from work Been talking like a hippie but I dodge the dirt Get to rocking on a trippy one man concert Hear a knocking on the door, feel like an introvert I've been blocking off the ones I love They've been stalking on my status, know I'm doing rough Getting started on their blabbering, I've had enough Play the part of loner stoner when I take a puff Spend my last moments of each evening searching for some peace Defend my past, trends repeating when I nurture my own beast I'm on blast, judgement coming from the west and from the east Second class, I'm left longing for the most to say the least What can I say? Looking forward to tomorrow each and every day Taken further from my sorrow when I start to play Tryna triangulate my talent but it's gone astray It's the natural way when I'm called to perform I can't cue my capabilities when caught in the storm Won't eschew my new tranquility though it leaves me torn Exhibiting fragility 'cause I've been reborn I find that all I ever wanna do is get faded But it only ever makes me feel worse the next day Did I ask for this? God, can I pass on this? Nah, I'm a pacifist but I only feel relief when I'm smashing shit I only think what I believe, never sure of it I'm always sinking ever deeper in the sandpit Already know it gets worse when I throw a fit Keep it steady 'til I burst, gotta take a hit I stay creative but you never give a fuck Each and every day I'm working on not feeling stuck Ever in a rut Can't keep my mind's eye shut I watch the time but I find that it still runs amok It's slipping past I'm too busy thinking fast Tipping point has come and passed And my good faith ain't gonna last They wanna chastise me But it's my last vice, see? I try to practice what I preach and that's a drastic feat They're all so plastic, cheap They're all so tragically Just walking down the street Without a conscious beat My heart swells when you say me name My mind dwells when you lay down blame on me I can't tell you we're not the same Every time that I hurt you shame on me Shame on me Every time that I hurt you shame on me Shame on me Every time that I hurt you shame on me
9.
Why didn't I hold you? I'm terrified of rejection But you understand my direction Blame my pride for my tension This affection I can't mention Why didn't I hold you? Could've told you anything I'm surrounded I'm astounded Can't believe in this support that I've been found with Still bereaving over souls that I've been bound with Oh no I can't blame you I know you feel shame too Just wish that you would come through Why didn't I hold you? Could've told you anything All these moods I mold to You're the reason I wanna sing

credits

released May 30, 2020

Written and performed by Drew Erickson.
Recorded and mixed by Drew Erickson.
Mastered by Dan Galanti.
Artwork by Viola Armitstead.
Full Extinction Records.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

The Fourth Horse Anchorage, Alaska

Music to connect.
Darkness brings light, in time.

contact / help

Contact The Fourth Horse

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like The Fourth Horse, you may also like: