MusicFirst LookCities Aviv – Don't Ever Look BackExclusive: The Memphis 'broken rap' artist creates an austere strobe-lit manifestoShareLink copied ✔️January 14, 2014MusicFirst LookTextJazz MonroeTextDazed Digital Flitting between monochrome woodland, New York subway scenes and bedroom-mirror freestyles, this video – courtesy of NYC artist Rimar Villaseñor – paints a strangely naked portrait of Gavin Mays, aka Cities Aviv. Its canvas is “Don’t Ever Look Back”, the closer on new LP Come to Life (out Jan 28 on Young One Records), and the song descends like a sweet sunset, showing the rapper/producer in his spiritual element. Says Mays, “If Come To Life is to be the total mantra, then this piece stands as its title track in that it embodies the personal crossover one must take to step out of one’s self. Merge with the void and don’t ever look back.” For a man given to sonic austerity, Mays clearly covets his mellow, and as strobes punctuate smooth-grain visuals the tune streams along, clipped yet fluid, with its minimal samples and beats complicated by Mays’ leering flow. A minute later, having said his piece, the artist vanishes from the spotlight, merging with the void. Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREInside Erika de Casier’s shimmering R&B universe ‘Rap saved my life’: A hazy conversation with MIKE and Earl Sweatshirt InstagramIntroducing Instagram’s 2025 Rings winners7 essential albums by the SoulquariansIs AI really the future of music?Ray Ban MetaIn pictures: Jefferson Hack launches new exhibition with exclusive eventThe KPop Demon Hunters directors on fan theories and a potential sequelplaybody: The club night bringing connection back to the dancefloorAn interview with IC3PEAK, the band Putin couldn’t silenceFrost Children answer the dA-Zed quizThe 5 best features from PinkPantheress’ new remix albumMoses Ideka is making pagan synth-folk from the heart of south London