High-level bars, soulful funk, and zero pre-release hype: Why the GA native’s latest project is a mandatory listen

Released May 6th 2026

While Eastside Decatur native Deante’ Hitchcock has earned collaborations and cosigns from the likes of J.I.D, Miguel, H.E.R., and Childish Major (among a slew of other talented peers), that household-name designation has seemingly eluded him throughout the years. His latest drop, Junkie in the Sun, follows the low-key vibe of the artist himself; it was released with little buzz, no lead single, and not even a music video from what I could find. That being said, despite the under-the-radar nature of the rollout, Junkie in the Sun is an excellent album, complete with high-level bars and reflective, melodic moments.

It is not surprising that the Georgia native cites André 3000 as a major influence, because there is definitely a hint of funk mixed with “Dirty South rhymology” in this release (the best description I could come up with). Two of the early tracks, “Gotta Be More” followed by “Electric Revival,” perfectly set the pace for the listener—delivering a chill exercise in lyricism followed immediately by an unorthodox, funky track. Throughout the project, Deante’ consistently flexes his artistic range, masterfully weaving introspective rhymes while seamlessly handling his own hooks and melodic breaks. My only critique is that the album might actually be too cohesive; the nearly hour-long runtime can feel a bit overly relaxed due to a lack of upbeat tracks. Long story short, you won’t find many songs here to add to a gym playlist—which is ultimately more of an observation than a complaint.

The production and pacing feel carefully curated, resulting in a level of quality that any dedicated listener will appreciate. Only three songs feature guest appearances, and Samara Cyn’s turn on “Mr. Green Eyes” proves exactly why her current buzz is well-deserved. Deante’ dips deep into his vocal bag here, perfectly setting the table for Samara to hit us with bars akin to spoken word. “Reminders,” featuring 6lack, Childish Major, and Annie Field, is another collaboration that significantly elevates the project.

Overall, Junkie in the Sun is another stellar addition to a year already packed with quality releases. While I am a bit disappointed by the lack of promotion behind it (and seriously, give us a video fam), this album comes highly recommended. Check it out.

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (8.5/10)

Standout Tracks: Gotta Be More, Funny Thing, Paper N Power, Mr. Green Eyes, Reminders