After getting named by the Austin Chronicle as “the future of Austin hip hop,” young emcee Malik seems to have spent the past year making sure he can follow through on that promise. Malik’s upcoming new album The Awakening (II) is a bold and adventurous release, showcasing Malik’s pop abilities as well as a more technical flow, merging both the club and underground worlds. Malik sent us standout track “Alone” to tease you all with before Awakening’s January 1st release date, telling us the album is “the second half to the dream that inspired The Principium so it marks the closing of a chapter in life for me and the start of a new one.” We also hear he has put together a full band to back him up for Awakening shows, and we’re eager to hear the results of that. But until then, enjoy “Alone” and be sure to stick around for The Awakening (II) to see Austin hip hop’s future fulfilled.