The first thing that stands out is the lo fi crunch – the minimal production – if feels immediate, almost like the intention was to get shit down rather than get slowed down with getting everything perfect and it comes through. A disregard for genre convention. Almost like punk hip hop*. The use of cadence is really well implemented, tempo drifts and twists. Subtle use of samples without letting anything overpower the vocals.
It grows with multiple listens, it has a low to the ground groove to it. Production is sparse and saturated but interesting enough to keep you invested. Third listen in you start to recognize the flows and the musical motifs.
All in I enjoyed this. It has chops.
*Calm down Liam, punk doesn’t mean guitars ya clownshoes wearing caricature.
“Ultra Despair Duo“ is what I would call a “slice of life” album. It speaks about all matters of topics, from relationships, to video games, to frustrations about how peers lower themselves to reach larger audiences. Griizzly noted that he was in a strange spot in his life when this album got produced; depressed, yet optimistic.
Both of those feelings are very much present in this work. At times the mood is fatalistic, at others combative. Yet at no point are the songs about resigning to his fate, only about pointing out frustrations and problems. This is no small feat for an album that has only seven tracks.
The production is of a serviceable quality, giving each piece mostly a lo-fi sound. In contrast to some of Griizzly’s later work, which has a more professional sound, I feel this under-produced approach works in the albums favor; making it relatable and easy to pay attention to. Overall, I’d recommend this album. It is enjoyable and gives the listener insight into the mindset of an artist from a certain time of their life.
– Florgoth
From Bandcamp:
Griizzly, Slogan
Previously…
The Nirvana Fallacy (or, Mania and Her Sophomore Slump) – Saint Louie
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