- Words Notion Staff
Charlotte rapper Austin Fortson navigates the highs and lows of the night on his new album, Step Out Nights.
Austin Fortson’s new album Step Out Nights is a study of what happens when the sun goes down. Across 17 tracks, the Charlotte rapper moves between club euphoria and quiet self-reflection, capturing the full spectrum of moods that define the night.
The project was shaped over a year and a half in his home studio, a process that allowed Austin to hone both the high-energy, bass-driven tracks built for dance floors and the more understated cuts designed for late drives and solitary moments. It’s this duality that gives Step Out Nights its pull: the ability to soundtrack both chaos and calm without losing its identity.
One of the early standouts, ‘Christmas In July’, sets the tone with an infectious hook and a distinct sonic character that pushes Fortson further into his own lane. Elsewhere, the album reveals his versatility, shifting gears with ease while maintaining the rawness and self-assurance that have become central to his style.
For Austin, authenticity is more than just a talking point; it’s the through-line that ties the album together. Rather than chasing trends, he focuses on building a world that feels lived-in, a body of work that mirrors the unpredictability of the night itself. With Step Out Nights, Austin Fortson establishes himself as a voice intent on carving his own space, one where confidence and vulnerability can sit side by side.