In this week of class we were each put into groups and given an individual artist to research and examine. The options were as follows – Nazar, Burial, KMRU and Elianne Radigue. Our task was to create an 8-10 minute presentation on our chosen artist (which was KMRU) and present it to the class.
Our blog task this week is to analyse how artists utilise synthesis and samples in music production, how they compose these compostions and bring them to life. First I am going to talk about sampling, I have gone with the track ‘Jazz (We’ve Got) by the east coast hip hop group a Tribe Called Quest.
The song is a celebration of jazz culture and its influence on the east-coast hip-hop scene. Prominently featured throughout the song are samples that embody the spirit of jazz, both in instrumentation and rhythm. One of the central elements is the sample of Don’t Change Your Love” by Five Stairsteps which provides the backbone of the track. The catchy drum loop and the jazz-infused rhythm from the song set the groove for “Jazz (We’ve Got)” and give it a laid-back feel.
The production techniques employed in manipulating these samples highlight the group’s creativity and their knack for creating a unique sonic landscape.
When talking about synthesis in music I have chosen the song ‘Chamber Of Reflection’ by Mac DeMarco. The main focus of this song is the reverb heavy synthesizer and its catchy chord progression, which is interpolated from Japanese artist Shigeo Sekito’s song “The Word II.” The iconic opening riff which plays throughout the song is a re-recorded looped sample picked from this.
The synths play a huge role in establishing the song’s overall mood. They create a lush ambient backdrop for Mac’s vocals to casually glide over, sending goosebumps down your arms. The song features several elements to create this desired effect, including pads drenched in reverd and delay, arpeggiated melody lines, and modulated textures. Subtle pitch bends and filter sweeps combined with echoes work to add intrigue and depth to the music.
His use of synths are integral to creating an emotional peice and captivating the listener to stay around until the track ends.
When asked about the synths on his latest single he responded ”As for the synths, when you play guitar for six or seven years you get kind of bored, so it’s a way to mix things up. I don’t really know what I’m doing anyway, so it’s all just fun for me”.
Giles, S.C., Robin (2014). On the Record: ‘Passing Out Pieces’ with Mac DeMarco. [online] The Georgetown Voice. Available at: https://georgetownvoice.com/2014/03/06/record-passing-pieces-mac-demarco/ [Accessed 27 Oct. 2023].