Pouya releases his fourth studio album, “Blood Was Never Thick As Water.” The 11 track effort provides an introspective look at the demons Pouya is fighting both internally and externally. Making it clear that he sees himself as his only real competition, the 26 year old rapper is determined to show the world that he should no longer be seen as an underdog. It’s home to recent singles like the mosh-pit ready anthem, “Wig Split” ft. Denzel Curry and the breezy, confident jam, “Walk In” ft. Lu Baby, as well as new tracks that find Pouya dabbling in elements of jazz, dream pop, and even Bay Area-style mob music on the track “One In The Fleetwood.”

Along with the album, he also dropped a visual for the opening track, “Dying Slowly.” Shot by the BRAIN-WAVE in black and white, the scene opens with a gloomy-looking Pouya sitting in a chair while a barber comes in to cut his overgrown hair. As the music transitions from jazz to trap beats, Pouya maintains the same expression while looking back at the last 10 years of his career.  The reflective banger sees Pouya evaluate his own expectations that he has for himself: “I set the bar so high I’ll die before I reach my prime / But if my words could live forever then it’s worth my time.”