Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and poet Aeolus White delivers a stunningly raw and deeply human exploration of survival, identity, and healing on his new 7-track EP, outcry. Blending alternative R&B with moody, cinematic production and soul-baring lyricism, the project unfolds like a journal entry torn from the pages of his life—vulnerable, unfiltered, and achingly honest.
At the heart of the EP lies its powerful lead single, “outcry (say the words)”, a song that began as a freewriting exercise and evolved into a therapeutic reckoning with White’s own experience of childhood abuse. Set against a haunting chromatic chord progression and a hypnotic pulse, the track’s tension mirrors its emotional weight—both a confession and a call for others to break their silence.
“Sometimes speaking is the first step toward survival,” Aeolus says, and on outcry, each word feels like a reclaiming of power. The EP’s name—drawn from the legal term “outcry witness”—frames the project as more than music; it’s testimony, a bold step toward destigmatizing conversations around trauma and survival, especially during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The songs on outcry don’t shy away from heaviness—grappling with themes of fractured family dynamics, broken relationships, and the lasting shadow of past pain—but they do so with a sense of grace and emotional movement. Aeolus navigates these themes with the poise of a seasoned storyteller and the soul of someone who’s lived every word.
Sonically, the EP sits comfortably between alternative R&B, jazz, gospel, house, and classic soul, weaving in influences from across the spectrum to create something wholly unique and deeply personal. This versatility is a hallmark of Aeolus’s artistry, first introduced in his 2018 release Conventional Love, which examined masculinity within queer identity. Now, with outcry, he pushes even further, crafting a space for communal healing and reflection.
Years in the making, outcry is not just a musical release—it’s a milestone in White’s artistic and personal journey. By turning trauma into a tapestry of rhythm and prose, Aeolus invites listeners into a space where truth is not just spoken but sung, and where healing isn’t just a hope—it’s a practice.
