Backstage Hologram
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| Backstage Hologram[a] | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 17, 2026[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2025–2026 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:17 | |||
| Label | DeadAir | |||
| Producer |
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| Kuru chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Backstage Hologram | ||||
Backstage Hologram is the second studio album by American rapper Kuru, released under DeadAir Records. The album features 15 tracks with three features from katmoji, Lucy Bedroque and Xaviersobased. The album's lead single, "FW19," was released on March 20, 2026.
Upon release, Backstage Hologram has been issued on CD and vinyl.
In November 2024, Kuru released his debut studio album, titled re:wired, upon release, the album performed very well online among fans and media critics.[5] Then, in May 2025, Kuru released his debut studio mixtape titled Stay True Forever. The mixtape generally received a positive reception amongst media critics and fans as well.[6] Four months after, Kuru confirmed the project and began teasing Backstage Hologram in October 2025. In April 2026, Kuru announced the feature list,[7] as well as a tour for the album, which began on April 18 in Seattle and concludes on May 14 in Toronto.[8]
Composition
Overview
A reviewer for Pitchfork labeled the project as a playful one, the project sees Kuru experiment more with layered "polyphony" sounds, and 8-bit-inspired production while staying true to their roots on their tracks with Xavier and Lucy.[9] Julian Telles of The Daily of the University of Washington wrote how Backstage Hologram was Kuru's most polished work as of yet, praising the music production with the use of "roomy atmospheric pads, muted snares, punchy 808s and light, skittering hi-hats."[2] Telles writes how the album sees Kuru still stick to his "established rap-sing and mumble flow."[2]
Songs
The reviewer from Pitchfork wrote how "Noir Kei" conjures "dextrous blip-and-vocal orchestra."[9] Telles' wrote how the lead single "FW19" is clean, crisp, and sonically pleasing.[2] On "Gracious", Telles writes how Kuru's vocals sit atop the beat, which sees his vocals "glide along the melody".[2] "Pray For..." sees Kura's vocals as a secondary option, while the beat weaves in above and below his vocals.[2] Both "Gracious" and "Pray For..." feature "rhythmically unsettling arpeggiating pianos, glued together and given a groove by a steady, bumping 808 pulse."[2] On "End of Spring", Kuru unites with Lucy Bedroque where Telles writes how his verse is "catchy, melodic, and falsetto, providing the tracklist with vocal variety."[2]
Critical reception
Telles overall gave the album good praise, writing how it's a new breath of fresh air, and how the project sees Kuru breaks the trend of strict rage rap releases, such as Nettspend's Early Life Crisis and Che's Rest in Bass, it help clears space in the cloud of bass noise for his polished, fresh sound. Telles ends the review by saying how Kura is evolving his sound and claims how he does it by not being louder, but by pulling back.[2]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Keegan Foley[10]
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Can Live W That" |
| 2:38 |
| 2. | "U Wld Never Do It" | Kuru | 2:35 |
| 3. | "Gracious" | Waera | 2:15 |
| 4. | "Don't get Stuck" | Misogi | 2:19 |
| 5. | "End of Spring" (featuring Lucy Bedroque) | Jayysoul | 2:52 |
| 6. | "Noir Kei" | Sean Baby | 2:46 |
| 7. | "Pray For..." |
| 1:52 |
| 8. | "Good Game" | pitchweavr | 2:25 |
| 9. | "Like Glue" (featuring Katmoji) | Kuru | 2:23 |
| 10. | "Glass" (featuring Xaviersobased) | 444Jet | 3:02 |
| 11. | "Let The Keys Cry" |
| 1:40 |
| 12. | "FW19" | Bhertuy | 2:11 |
| 13. | "Tofu" |
| 2:21 |
| 14. | "Shibuya Transfer" |
| 2:41 |
| 15. | "Three Worlds Apart" | Syzy | 4:12 |
| Total length: | 39:17 | ||