Joey Bada$$'s "Like Me" is notable more for what it doesn't do than what it does. The beat is utterly understated, with The Roots complementing a J Dilla instrumental that is subtle, wistful, and completely relaxed. The soft horns, the strumming guitar, and especially the sparse keyboard line only add to the mellowness. Joey raps right in the pocket, never raising the tone of his voice above a gentle pitter patter. BJ the Chicago Kid croons casually in the background, adding atmosphere without subtracting cohesiveness.
Towards the end of Like Me, the beat modulates to a more up tempo, intense cadence. The song concludes open-endedly, the guitar line moving back and forth between two chords, seemingly posing an open question. In the end, Like Me is the rare hip hop track that successfully establishes a laid back vibe without sacrificing precision or musicality. And for this, the track is one of the most delightful and surprising tracks of the year so far.
Towards the end of Like Me, the beat modulates to a more up tempo, intense cadence. The song concludes open-endedly, the guitar line moving back and forth between two chords, seemingly posing an open question. In the end, Like Me is the rare hip hop track that successfully establishes a laid back vibe without sacrificing precision or musicality. And for this, the track is one of the most delightful and surprising tracks of the year so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment