'boi' is the new sqip album released in 2023. 44 minutes of abstract, singer-songwriter-y, emotional electronica organized into a fun, lucid experience, boi is, at-times, freestyle, semi-autobiographical, a love letter, a gift, and a daydream "We’re late, we’re late! Or maybe we’re just on time. Either way, if you’re already familiar with sqip (pronounced “skip”) and his 2020 project battery, you’re amongst a lucky group who have already been listening to a rare gem of an album. Over 17 fragile, engaging tracks, Portland-based Cole Mitchell Johnson bares his soul through fragile vocals and varied, atmospheric production. Subtle pop and R&B floats over laid-back guitars and synths one moment, before vocals are cut off mid-phrase. Other tracks introduce ambient passages or club-ready breakbeats, but a homespun, honest quality can be felt throughout. Johnson also works as a graphic designer at Portland’s FISK Projects, and part of the charm of battery is that it feels as if it was made to scratch a creative itch rather than to fulfill an album obligation or reach a certain audience. sqip’s battery was put out into the world nearly two years ago, but its lifetime is limitless—no expiration date on discovering great art."—Alex Gardner (Pigeons & Planes)