There’s a feeling when art transcends its medium—a pulsing invitation to traverse the depths of human emotion. Scrim’s new album, via crucis, is precisely that gateway, a musically audacious pilgrimage where each track marks a station on the path of struggle, redemption, and raw reality. Released on April 18, 2025, with 30 meticulously crafted songs spanning 1 hour and 28 minutes, this album isn’t simply a collection of beats and bars; it’s an odyssey of the soul.
The Spiritual Roadmap of via crucis
The title, via crucis, translates to “the way of the cross”—a phrase steeped in the imagery of hardship and its transcendence. The album opens with “destination: lost,” immediately setting a tone of disorientation that soon unfolds into an intricate exploration of modern isolation and existential longing. Each subsequent track, from “tale of the missing man” to “whiskey” and “the holy ghost,” serves as a chapter in a larger narrative where Scrim deftly weaves together the themes of personal loss, societal disillusionment, and the subtle stirrings of hope .
In tracks like “real tree playas anthem” and “axeman of new orleans,” you can almost sense the clash of urban grit with poetic introspection—a reminder that even the most chaotic lives can find a semblance of order in art. As the album progresses, the nuances become even more pronounced, inviting listeners to traverse both the dark alleys of the mind and the radiant corridors of personal revival.
A Track-by-Track Pilgrimage
Let’s break down some of the key stops along this musical journey:
destination: lost: An atmospheric opener that plunges you into a realm of existential meandering, perfect for those moments when life feels adrift.
tale of the missing man: This track conjures mental images of elusive identities amid urban dissonance, asking hard questions about who we are when stripped of all pretense.
whiskey & the holy ghost: Here, the raw storytelling intermingles with an almost sacred reverence, juxtaposing vice with visions of salvation.
reborn & warped lives of blameless children: A reflective commentary on rebirth, these songs capture the fragile beauty of starting anew against a backdrop of relentless urban rhythms.
#lonelycore & depression, my best friend: Embracing vulnerability, these tracks serve as battle cries for the misunderstood, turning delicate emotions into defiant anthems.
leave the gun, take the cannoli: A lyrical twist that interlaces pop culture with deeper musings on survival, it challenges the listener to reconsider the artifacts of power and pain.
Each piece of the album is interlaced with intricate wordplay and compelling narratives that demand to be listened to multiple times, revealing fresh layers with every encounter.
The Artistry Behind the Sound
Scrim, known offstage as Scott Arceneaux Jr., has long been a maverick in the underground hip-hop scene. With via crucis, his lyrical prowess is complemented by a production that is as gritty as it is cinematic. Collaborating with visionary producers like Budd Dwyer, the sonic texture of the album is reminiscent of a dimly lit urban landscape—a place where each echo of a beat or scratch of a record hints at stories untold .
The album’s structure is designed to guide you through fluctuating moods, almost akin to a rite of passage. Whether it’s the frantic energy of “nightmare on the northside” or the soulful introspection of “father, hold me,” every song is a carefully placed marker on a route that reinforces the notion that every struggle carries the potential for rebirth. Even the brevity of tracks like “ex nihilio” (Latin for “out of nothing”) encapsulates the idea that true rebirth often arises from suffering .
A Sonic Mirror for the Ages
via crucis is more than a musical album—it is a reflective mirror held up to the condition of modern existence. At a time when our social landscapes can sometimes seem as fractured as the tracks on an album, Scrim offers an invitation to dive deep, introspect, and perhaps even find catharsis in the rawness of his verses. It’s an album that challenges traditional narratives, making space for the beauty found in brokenness and the hope that arises from meticulously confronting one’s inner demons.
This pilgrimage through sound leaves us with lingering questions: In what ways might our own struggles be transformed into art? How often do we allow ourselves to journey through our personal darkness to reach a place of light? As you press play on via crucis—whether you're a longtime devotee of Scrim’s narrative style or a newcomer to his profound world—allow the album to guide you through a labyrinth of reflection, urging you to see that every trial carries the seeds of transformation .
The journey of via crucis
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