For an artist who helped define the sound of trap music in its formative years in Australia, What So Not‘s return to the genre feels less like a nostalgic exercise and more like a statement of intent, as his newest single “Everest”, serves as the first taste of his upcoming project where he’s expanding it into something grander, more cinematic and emotionally resonant.
Featuring Ukrainian artist Alina Pash, Everest immediately sets itself apart through scale, starting from its opening moments, the track feels enormous. Ethereal vocal passages give way to pounding percussion, dramatic synths and towering production that evokes vast landscapes rather than crowded festival grounds. At the centre of the song is Alina Pash’s remarkable performance, moving between delicate and commanding, as she transforms the song into something far more powerful than a producer-led collaboration. Singing in her native language, Alina Pash delivers what feels less like a traditional vocal and more like a spiritual invocation – such as a mantra rooted in identity, resilience and strength altogether.
That emotional core gives the track much of its impact, while the production is undeniably huge, the song is ultimately driven by themes of culture, belonging and survival. For Alina Pash – whose homeland continues to endure extraordinary hardship – the song becomes an opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian identity while reminding listeners of the people and stories behind the headlines. What makes the song particularly compelling is the balance between electronic production and something much older and more timeless: tribal rhythms, chant-like melodies and cinematic textures intertwine with What So Not’s signature sound, creating a track that feels simultaneously futuristic.
Perhaps one of the most exciting aspect is what it suggests about the broader project to come. The title of his upcoming project, “I SAW A TRAP DJ AND IT CHANGED MY BIO CHEMISTRY”, hints at an artist reflecting on the genre that helped shape his career while reimagining its possibilities. As a lead single, What So Not’s Everest succeeds because it operates on multiple levels at once.
