OKP Premiere: UK Hip-Hop Crew Age Of L.U.N.A. Blows Up On "Boom" ft. ZangWu

Press play on Age of L.U.N.A.'s latest single "Boom" and you'll think an alien invasion has broken out; the new track's initial seconds whirr like a message coded in another planet's language. But things come quickly back to Earth and before long "Boom" settles into its groove--one made of tinny drums, digital clicks and brief chords that sound like the echoes of space dust bouncing off spaceship hulls. If you loved the space age neo-cool of Toonami, "Boom" is going to be just your type of thing.

But futuristic production aside, it's the message that matters most here. Age of L.U.N.A. (Live Under No Authority) considers itself a proudly organic rebellion and the British crew has certainly struck out on an individualist path, despite having an average age or 18. Comprised of MCs Butch Arkas and Kyoto Noir (who as a duo make up ZangWu), producer NK-OK and singer/photographer Daniella Thomas. As a quartet, their expressed goal is to deploy conscious lyrics and live instrumentation to connect with the listener on a deeper level, and on "Boom" the tether is very strong indeed. With its warnings against wanton violence, the song is both smart and off-kilter, an inspired piece of left-field hip-hop from an unexpected source. The story goes that Age of L.U.N.A. found their name while musing on rebellion and looking up at the moon. It's fitting that their new single inspires us to do the very same. Listen to the world premiere of "Boom," proudly presented by Okayplayer, below.