Erick the Architect — the celebrated solo artist and founding member/primary producer of influential Brooklyn rap trio Flatbush Zombies — releases his surprise new EP ARCSTRUMENTALS 3. The 3-track project finds Erick exploring a fresh, R&B-heavy dance and DJ sound, inspired by recent collaborations with Jungle and L’Imperatrice, as well as his genre-bending work with artists like James Blake. The EP was created and produced entirely in Erick’s Los Angeles studio over the past year and picks up on sonic threads from his 2024 solo full-length debut, including the mid-tempo club jam “Ambrosia” featuring Channel Tres.

To celebrate the release, Erick has also shared a live DJ visual of the full ARCSTRUMENTALS 3 EP, filmed at sunrise on a rooftop overlooking the scenic California hills. The set showcases Erick’s dynamic performance style and the joyful energy of the project, offering fans an immersive visual and sonic experience of the new music.

“As the third release of ARCSTRUMENTALS, I decided to release (3) records that are reminiscent of the music I’ve been playing most recently,” says Erick. “I was searching for a way to be uplifted and reminded that it’s okay to smile and enjoy yourself. In typical ARCSTRUMENTALS fashion, I’ve landed on a concept and produced these songs as an introduction to a style of music I’ve always loved. The songs feature a myriad of live instruments and force you to get up on your feet!”

This marks Erick’s first release of 2025, following a prolific 2024 that included his acclaimed solo debut I’ve Never Been Here Before and its deluxe edition. The project was hailed by Rolling Stone as “a winding, perilous and deeply personal body of work that celebrates [Erick’s] mastery as both a storyteller and conductor of his authentic sound” and earned additional praise from The Fader, Stereogum, Hypebeast, SPIN, The New York Times, Consequence, Billboard, and others. The album featured Joey Bada$$, Westside Boogie, George Clinton, Channel Tres, Kimbra, Lalah Hathaway, RUDE CAT, Boy Boy, Pale Jay, and FARR, with production from James Blake, Linden Jay, and T Minus. Erick toured across the U.S. and internationally in support of the album, including a standout live set for KEXP.

Erick first introduced his ARCSTRUMENTALS series in 2015 and released a second volume in 2018, freewheeling, exploratory collections of beats and studio work that he has revived in 2025 with a new sonic direction in ARCSTRUMENTALS 3.

Featured image by Nick Rufo.

SOURCE: Official Bio

LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/erickthearchitect/
https://ffm.bio/erickthearchitect