T.E.N. - "PSY"

Falling in love is easy.

Maintaining affection is much more difficult.

Such are the pitfalls of lusting. It can be easy to find new partner; yet immediate gratification does not necessarily translate into long-lasting joy. Creative crushes are no exception. Which is why, if for no other reason, SoundCloud provides the perfect platform for those interested in the musical equivalent of speed dating. No upfront commitment is necessary. The only requirement is that users to possess a general, abstract idea. Whether genre, length, or mood, - relevance or the nouveau -  any desire can be fulfilled with just a few links. Only time is a necessary resource. But where to start? Well, an artist's likes are rarely fail. Reposts and follows are, likewise, decent enough places to explore.

Be prepared to fall into a deep hole of previously obscure music stylings.

Climbing out, though, is a decidedly most difficult task. The fear of missing out is a genuine cyber concern. Moreover, how can any validity be attached to these aural findings; an especially prescient question when lurking around amateur circles. Separating biases of the recency or confirmation nature with genuine intrigue can be tricky. Thus, there is one caveat to hold dear: the vast majority of artists are more than likely to be average, if not below.

But, by playing the game of averages, the odds tilt slightly in the consumer's favor.

Such can be said of the current selection, a loosie from Ohio artist T.E.N. (Tariq Equals Nerd). Titled "Psy," the song below is self-produced. A boom-bap rhythm is made up by kick/snare as the scraper syncopates. Electric guitar receives the bulk of harmonic credit. But in addition to the funk strumming, thought bubbles float to the surface on the back of each bar. The sound of an organ maintains the melody until a second synth appears during the chorus. With nothing negative to pick out, the only comment the author feels necessary is that the gain appears to be lacking on the master file.

Lyrically, "Psy" is made up of only one verse; and, likewise, just one chorus is heard. The content follows a first person narrator in a brief slice of life. Enunciation is clear, thus making is easier for the audience to appreciate the contrast of guilt of masculinity with the pleasure of, well, masculinity;  not unlike the tartness of a grapefruit, perhaps. Throughout the track the flow is free with flashes of a nice singing voice being shown. Internal rhymes are thrown in for good measure. But while cereal themed punchlines and a reference such a "I’m Harry Potter with Quidditch, you get it," or the writing itself has upside.



Notable Mention:  Domeniko - "Samantha [Prod by. Curbside Jones]"

Appropriately enough, the second selection comes to light in much the same way: questionably and without any references.

Not once has the author stepped foot in Kansas City, af.

Much to the contrary, though, Domineko hails from this fine, midwestern city. Released earlier this week, the track below is titled "Samantha." Three hooks, two verses and an outro follow a sample from Black Dynamite. Appropriately enough, the flow is traditional as the contents are made up of a persuasive narrative. The narrator, left with nothing but his wits and talent, must convincing the eponymous female of his worth. Trials and tribulations are not expressed in much detail although the cleverness in a section such as "I’m trying to go the distance / When these rap drums start banging / I mean, eventually will; ain’t got a pickle to deal / Soon as I get my chips, Doritos and Lays fuck all my mills."

Meanwhile, Austin based Curbside Jones is enlisted for production credits. The track is a throwback and largely sample based. A hi-hat/snare form the main rhythm; although kick and tambourine are brought into the fold during the first verse. During the second hook, however, a bongo syncopates. Likewise, a vocal sample appears to add additional harmonic reserves. Two electric guitars, piano, and a  round out the remaining portions of the run



- J.N.

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