Chicago rapper Jay Wood has gained a foothold in the local scene with his work on the mike, but his production prowess is what distinguishes his new self-released EP, Nowhere, Fast. His svelte, sturdy instrumentals contain his voice as snugly as an opulent picture frame, ornamented to amplify the character of his performances. On “Homesick,” the horn-happy first single from Nowhere, Fast, Wood cushions his soft singing with feathery vocal samples to give the hook a woozy gleefulness. His crisp voice, chill disposition, and unfussy lyrics are as magnetic as his well-sculpted tracks, and the little details in his songs—like the way his placid flow locks into a simple percussive loop on “Landline Part II”—invite plenty of repeated spins.
Jay Wood Cassius Tae and Khaliyah X open. Thu 11/30, 8 PM, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, $15, 18+