After erupting onto the Auckland hip hop scene in mid-2012 and releasing two EPs, North Shore rapper Randa now has this 5-track display of a developing rap talent and ability to make excellent tunes. With a fast-paced flow the songs yet again drip with pop culture references as on previous EPs ‘Summer Camp’ and ‘Lunch Box’.

This EP follows a similar style of the previous two, that same blend of electronic pop and hip hop which gives Randa’s music a smooth and upbeat bounce, making you want to learn the lyrics so you can rap along. That style is very present on Texas Lottery which has a pulsing house music bass line carrying all the way through. Opener Fortress hooks you in from the start with a pounding drum beat that gets right into your face. The upbeat feeling of the title track will leave you wanting to put it on repeat, with a silly, big smile on your face. This EP is very well recorded and mixed, courtesy of producer Josh Fountain. Overall it’s a great example of quality over quantity, all five tracks being an excellent showcase of Randa’s abilities, and no doubt helped in claiming the 2014 Critics’ Choice Award.