Brooklyn producer and countertenor RZN8R has released MISTR, a bold and deeply personal EP that takes male-written love songs and makes them his own through both spiritual and dance-ready sounds. Known offstage as Derek Buckwalter, RZN8R brings together different worlds – he grew up in Oakland, trained as a classical singer, and now works in New York’s underground electronic music scene. With MISTR, he combines these different parts of himself into music that feels both intimate and powerful.
MISTR is more than just cover songs – it’s a complete reimagining. Released one year after his engagement, this four-track EP fully showcases RZN8R’s amazing countertenor voice for the first time. It celebrates queer love, memories, and movement. Every track works for the club but carries strong emotions.
The opening track “Get You” brings you into this world beautifully. Light textures and gentle clicking beats create a dreamy but rhythmic sound. As the beat grows and the synths build urgency, RZN8R’s high voice soars, grounding the song in rich romance. It’s a tribute to healthy, happy love – a beautiful opener that welcomes listeners into his vision.
“Adorn,” originally a cover of Miguel’s hit, gets reshaped with grooving beats and graceful piano touches. The remix adds even more life to the original version. The vocals are smooth, the drums infectious, and the overall feeling moves between R&B sensuality and club euphoria.
Things get more sensual with “Pyramid,” a rich, layered production that moves between sweeping synths and piano-driven intimacy. This shows RZN8R at his most experimental – vocals changed in pitch, unexpected beat changes, and rhythm that rises and falls with emotional and sonic intensity. It’s sexy, hypnotic, and perfect for late-night listening.
The final track, “U Don’t Have To Call,” closes the EP on a sultry high. Originally an Usher classic, RZN8R’s version layers dreamy electric keys and thumping beats with detailed guitar and airy vocals. The result is a confident, euphoric anthem about unconditional love and availability – a warm invitation to closeness and connection, anytime, anywhere.
Throughout MISTR, RZN8R shows he can balance elegance and edge. His vocal performance is consistently striking – an emotional counterpoint to the complex rhythms of the beats. From afrobeats and amapiano to baile funk and gospel, this EP draws inspiration from around the world, filtering it all through a kaleidoscopic vision of love, identity, and sound.
In a landscape often filled with safe and predictable releases, MISTR stands apart. It’s a bold fusion of classical vocal technique and club culture, of heartfelt tribute and fearless innovation. For anyone who’s ever found clarity on the dancefloor or healing in a hook, MISTR is more than music – it’s a spiritual groove.
Listen to MISTR (Cover EP) below
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