After several years fronting the Winston-Salem, NC-based band Foxture, Marlon Blackmon, aka NEW EX, began recording solo material in 2021 that would later secure his spot as the second artist to join Polychromatic Records. Produced by Travis Dark, Blackmon’s new sound was a radical departure from the dreamy indie rock of his previous projects. Where Foxture was dreamy and lush, NEW EX is a darkly experimental flavor of alternative R&B and hip-hop.

His 2022 debut EP Temporary abounds with a tongue-in-cheek sense of egomania (“Sanity”) and playful toxicity (“Ruin My Life”) that few outside of The Weeknd can get away with.

2024 sees the release of his second EP, Villain, and with it, the next step in NEW EX’s evolution. Says Blackmon: Realizing that my presence and energy are being met with rejection, I find myself caught in a cycle of self-affirmation and defensive barriers, all while questioning the value of the social interactions that have drained me emotionally. As I navigate this landscape, I’ve chosen to embrace anger as a form of empowerment. Each judgment from others feels like a weight on my shoulders, intensifying my exhaustion while also fueling me to project the best parts of my own self image. I grapple with the relentless sting of social rejection, prompting me to reevaluate the worth of my investments in these connections. As I navigate this landscape, I’ve chosen to embrace anger as a form of empowerment. Each judgment from others feels like a weight on my shoulders, intensifying my exhaustion while also fueling me to project the best parts of my own self image. I grapple with the relentless sting of social rejection, prompting me to reevaluate the worth of my investments in these connections. This journey is a reflection of my struggle to reclaim my sense of self and esteem amidst the noise of external expectations. I’m done playing by rules that diminish my spirit; I’m taking a stand, ready to protect my energy fiercely and assert my worth.”