Always by the Bar is a raw, reflective, and vividly honest journey through the highs, lows, and in-betweens of life, seen through the eyes of an artist who’s lived it all — Vo. A decade in the making, this album serves as a spiritual sequel to Still by the Bar, carrying the weight of personal growth, emotional clarity, and unapologetic truth.

Vo uses the bar as more than just a place — it’s a metaphor for the emotional counter, a familiar place to process pain, celebrate joy, and sit in solitude. He blends sharp street realism with introspective moments, lacing his verses with double entendres, cultural references, and the wisdom of someone who’s spent years watching life from both the sideline and center stage.

Tracks oscillate between stoned meditations, mental health reflections, and turn-up anthems, all while reinforcing that this life — with its smoke clouds, porch moments, and broken truths — is something to be breathed in and appreciated. The hook-heavy, soulful production pulls from Bay Area flavor while maintaining a uniquely personal tone.

From tributes to Macy Gray’s “The Grass Is Greener” to lines about Backwoods filled with reality, Vo threads a narrative that challenges illusions, embraces flaws, and ultimately encourages listeners to go outside, take a deep breath, and face this life — no matter what it throws at you.

Pimp C [+]

Todd J