It feels like eons since Macklemore simultaneously became the country’s most celebrated and condemned rapper. He’s working on a follow-up to “The Heist” with Ryan Lewis, but in the meantime, they’re back via a collaboration with Seattle-based indie-rock band Fences. (Macklemore and Fences frontman Christopher Mansfield are old friends.)
“Arrows,” produced by Lewis, is a song clearly about coming into yourself even if others don’t get you. Macklemore raps about the trials of fame: “But you got it all in vain cause you forgot who you are / Right as the world learned your name, it goes.” We already knew Macklemore isn’t afraid to get serious (see: “Same Love”), so at least the song sounds like good emo fun despite the heavy lyrics. Welcome to Hot 100 territory, Fences.