Milwaukee rapper Ef Ay just dropped off a new EP, and it’s exactly the kind of confident, no-filler release that’s been getting him noticed in the city’s hip-hop circles.

ISSA STAR!, a six-track project released July 12th, finds Ef Ay delivering tight, punchy tracks that get in, make their statement, and get out before overstaying their welcome. Case in point: the standout “One $hot” clocks in at just over a minute but packs more swagger into that runtime than most artists squeeze into an entire album side.

The production throughout leans into a mid-tempo groove with a danceable bounce, though there’s a darker, more introspective undercurrent running beneath the surface. It’s the kind of sound that works equally well at a house party or during a late-night drive through the city.

Ef Ay has been building momentum in Milwaukee over the past couple of years, including a feature on Joey Fisherr’s “MILWAUKEE BANG” last summer. He’s a familiar name on local venue calendars, including spots like the Cactus Club, and this new EP should only cement his presence in the scene.

Stream ISSA STAR! on Spotify now: https://open.spotify.com/album/7Mw8cH0qdqxr1u7JCFuabg