By Ethan Goddard
(Note: As of writing, “AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!” hasn’t been pressed on vinyl—though I’ve got a feeling that’ll change soon. When it does, we’ll be sure to update this.)
It’s rare that a musical group finds a second wind after a crucial member departs. More often than not, this is a kiss of death for the group, and sometimes each member’s individual careers. At the very least, temporarily damaging. But when it comes to PARTYOF2 (formerly known as grouptherapy.), members Jadagrace and Swim have risen from the ashes elegantly after the departure of Tyrel “TJ” Williams and are now sky rocketing in the underground (if you can still call them underground).The proof is in the pudding with their brand new record “AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!”
Long before Jadagrace and Swim were getting festival placements at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw and getting producer credits from dance powerhouse KAYTRANADA, the trio were making smaller waves under the moniker grouptherapy. and their 2023 debut album “I Was Mature for My Age, But I Was Still a Child.”
The album was met with praise from critics and fans alike, being compared to the likes of pre-pandemic era BROCKHAMPTON and N.E.R.D. But in the midst of all the hype, an announcement was made that TJ would be stepping away for reasons publicly unknown (but endlessly speculated on). While it was made clear that things ended on good terms, fans were left wondering not only what happened, but what the future of the group would look like.
Fast forward to February 21 of this year, when the remaining duo’s YouTube channel was renamed to PARTYOF2, and a video entitled “we owe you an explanation” was posted. The video begins with the phrase, “and then there were two” and is immediately followed by an instrumental with throbbing bass that feels ripped out of a Yeezus production session (in a good way). Swim’s delivery feels like listening to someone who’s been to hell and back, creating a tough exterior and soft core around each bar. The song ends with a gorgeous outro sung by Jadagrace, creating this strange dynamic that feels like a trauma response blossoming into a new chapter. This is the funeral for grouptherapy.; and as the trio lays in the coffin, a new and improved duo looms over. This is PARTYOF2.
After the subsequent release of the duo’s rebirth EP entitled “we owe you an explanation”, two things became clear. One was that Jadagrace and Swim were back, and they weren’t taking shit from anybody. Any weight from the loss of their former group was no longer looming. They were ready to move on, and they encouraged us to do the same. The second thing was that these two needed to put an album out ASAP. With the strong rebrand that happened, the duo immediately gained new fans from their new direction. The new sound and aesthetic felt like a post-grief celebration. Even more vulnerable lyrics than before, more experimentation, and punchier instrumentals.
It wasn’t long until this new and improved group found their music in the ears of label execs. In spring of 2025, the duo were signed to the legendary Def Jam Records. On October 17 the duo dropped their debut album entitled “AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!” Let me tell you… this album’s incredible.
Similar to the EPs and visuals prior, the album follows an interesting blend of aesthetics and genres explored throughout their respective eras and decades. On songs like “JUST DANCE 2,” the track feels like a mix of Grandmaster Flash era hip hop, and early 90s club music. But on the track that follows entitled “FRIENDLY FIRE,” the duo exchange disses that escalate from schoolyard insults to bars that’ll drop your jaw similarly to the rap beefs that’ve swept the internet in recent years. Whether it’s the KAYTRANADA produced “FEEL LOVE,” or tracks like “POSER,” which sound like a Paris Texas or Tyler, The Creator remix, each song is its own journey in itself.
When packaged up all together, PARTYOF2’s debut album feels like a personality drenched ode to the genres that inspired them, while putting a cold shouldered, modern spin on it. They’ve created one of the most genuine and exciting records to come out this year. To me, music culture right now is chock full of disingenuous nostalgia bait and cheap dopamine, trying to sell a sense of false hope. Unfortunately for record labels, Generation Z has no interest in what’s being sold. In other words, while nostalgia-fueled content is flooding the market, PARTYOF2 is building something far more valuable: a future. One beat, one verse, one unforgettable hook at a time.
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