MFnMelo and squeakPIVOT. Photo by Michael Salisbury.
Just before his tragic death in August, Chicago artist squeakPIVOT released En Route, a collaborative project with fellow Pivot Gang member MFnMelo. On December 9, a deluxe edition of the album comes out, and today you can hear a new song from its tracklist "Mood Swing" featuring Saba and Pivot Gang's Joseph Chilliams and Frsh Waters.
Given the context, it's difficult not to project a bittersweet vibe onto "Mood Swing," but the song's true atmosphere is a celebration of resilience and camradarie. "I just bounced back like it was routine," Melo and Squak harmonize on the hook, celebrating the stability their Pivot Gang members provide in a duplicitous and uncertain world. In his final verse, Melo references the recent tragedy while staying aware of his success's stakes: "'Keep it moving' been the motto / Long live Squeaky, Walt and Dado."
