It’s a big week for fans of dearly departed Gustav Åhr aka Lil Peep. It was revealed yesterday via an article in The New York Times that Terrence Malick would be exec-producing a documentary about the artist, who died after an accidental overdose last November, aged just 21. The writer, director and producer, who is best known for his work on Badlands and The Tree of Life, is a family friend of Peep’s mother.
Today, to celebrate what would’ve been Gustav’s 22nd birthday, a previously unheard single called Runaway has been released along with a trippy video directed by his mother, Liza Womack, and Steven Mertens. “For my passionate, hard-working and talented son, Gus. And for his alter ego, Lil Peep,” reads the accompanying dedication. The visual pairs animated versions of Peep’s illustrations with home movie footage, and makes for an emotional watch.
This comes in the lead up to Peep’s first full length posthumous release, Come Over When You’re Sober Pt. 2, due 9 November and expected to feature work made with his close collaborators Smokeasac and iLoveMakonnen. The NYT article also speculated on the inclusion of tracks produced with Diplo, who Peep had had recording sessions with. But only time — eight days and counting — will tell. Watch this space.
