After nearly 20 years behind the scenes helping shape other artists’ sounds, Killah Cortez is stepping firmly into the spotlight with the release of his debut EP, “Pronoia”, which is out now on all major platforms. This acts as the follow-up to his single “I’ll Fix You (Cookie Jar)” which featured Manickin.
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The artist, producer, and songwriter, whose real name is Greg Cortez, has built a career working with names such as Ab-Soul, The Glorious Sons, Cheekface, and The Kooks. While he had long been known as “Killah Cortez” within studio circles—a nickname gifted to him by Neil Young and stubbornly carried forward by fellow musicians—he never thought the moniker would eventually represent his own personal artistry. Now, with “Pronoia”, he’s ready to carve his own lane.
The project was born during a turbulent period of personal struggle. Killah Cortez openly describes navigating family illness, relationship breakdowns, and creative burnout, before finding a way to keep moving forward. “I was in a really tough place,” Cortez says. “But I built these daily systems just to keep myself moving. Eventually, I started writing again.” That daily persistence reignited his songwriting, which ultimately became the foundation of this EP. The title “Pronoia” captures the idea that the universe might secretly be working in your favour, even when life feels chaotic or impossible to manage.
Musically, the EP refuses to stay neatly in one category. The six-track collection jumps from ambient-driven alt-rock, heard on “Imaginary Lines”, to the chaotic, pop-infused chaos of “Lose Control”, all while keeping a sense of experimentation at its core. What began as a personal production experiment quickly grew into something more once Cortez welcomed others into the process. As he puts it, “I wanted to establish early that everything’s on the table. This whole project started as a personal production experiment, but it came to life the second I opened it up to my friends.”
The EP opens with “Quantum”, a track that immediately showcases Killah Cortez’s layered production style in a progressive, evolving format. What begins with hypnotic beats and trance-like textures gradually builds momentum, unfolding into a pulsing rhythm laced with subtle techno influences that set the tone for the journey ahead.
Next up is “Like That”, where Cortez begins to reveal his genre-defying approach, shifting from the progressive electro of the opener into pop-rock territory. The track carries an addictive energy with a nostalgic early-’00s flair, yet its polished production keeps it firmly in the present. Driven by guitars and fleshed out with punchy drums, the rock edge is balanced by pop-infused beats that make it undeniably catchy. At its core are heartfelt male vocals that narrate the pain of a relationship breakdown, conveying the disbelief of being cheated on, with verses that reference specific memories from Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Day.
“Static Boo” comes next, a collaboration with Jetta Juriansz that opens with cinematic pop before swerving sharply once the male vocals drop, introducing a trap-driven edge reminiscent of 3OH!3. The song bounces playfully between those two worlds—trap-electro grit and polished pop sheen—creating a sound that feels nostalgic yet modern. Juriansz matches the energy with her own verse, leaning into the trap stylings and adding to the dynamic contrast. Lyrically, the track explores themes of artificial intelligence and love, playfully suggesting that a human-robot relationship might be all the connection one needs. The result is warped, tongue-in-cheek, and unexpectedly addictive.
The fourth track, “Lose Control”, dives into alternative pop-rock territory, carrying the energy of a Coldplay anthem reimagined through an EDM remix. Killah Cortez once again showcases his sharp production skills as the chorus bursts open, pulling the listener into a pop-driven void of electronic beats and soaring energy. When the verses return, the focus shifts back to the alternative rock foundation, with the drums stepping into the spotlight to drive the momentum. The dynamic interplay of instruments and shifting rhythms complements the lyrical theme of a turbulent relationship, where one person struggles to walk away despite recurring conflict, ultimately confessing they “lose control” when faced with their partner.
Track number five is “Imaginary Lines”, which leans into a more acoustic-driven sound, offering a laid-back pop-rock ballad brightened by gentle synth flourishes. Midway through, subtle drum work joins in without overpowering the guitar, which remains the song’s emotional anchor. This stripped-back approach gives the vocals room to shine, allowing them to dig deeper and form a strong emotional connection with the listener. Lyrically, the track explores introspection, uncertainty, and the invisible barriers we place in our own lives. With vivid imagery—standing in a crowd at a traffic light beneath the glow of the moon—the song transports listeners into a moment of reflection, its carefully crafted words showcasing the strength of this songwriting team.
The “Pronoia” EP wraps up with “I’ll Fix You (Cookie Jar)”, a collaboration with Manickin that instantly bursts with a fusion of hard electro, pop-rock, and touches of trap, almost as if combining all five previous tracks into one. The production shifts with each section—soaring in the first verse, pulling back for the chorus, softening for the second verse, and stripping down to trap minimalism in the bridge—showcasing Cortez’s ability to make a maximalist approach feel cohesive and natural. Manickin’s heartfelt vocals convey warmth and vulnerability, with lyrics that explore resilience, intuition, and connection in relationships. Clever metaphors, such as cookie jars and broken toys, make the message both striking and relatable.
Taken as a whole, “Pronoia” feels like more than just a debut EP—it’s a statement of intent. Across six tracks, Killah Cortez experiments with genre, emotion, and storytelling, moving from hypnotic electro to nostalgic pop-rock, playful trap-pop, and intimate balladry, all while keeping his production at the forefront. The result is a project that not only introduces his artistry but also proves his versatility and vision, laying a strong foundation for whatever comes next.
Recent months have already seen Killah Cortez break into the live scene, including a standout performance at NextFest 2025, as well as collaborations with a growing roster of indie artists—including the EP track titled “Static Boo” with actress and songwriter Jetta Juriansz. With “Pronoia” now in the world, Killah Cortez shows no signs of slowing down as he embraces this new creative chapter.
“Pronoia”, by Killah Cortez, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Jungle Strut Music.
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