Headphones: Fred Again Tugs At Heartstrings With His Latest Album
Theo Betterham
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Actual Life 3 by Fred Again: Music is something that flows. Music is meant to tell a story that one or many can relate to. In the electronic genre community, music is something that brings everyone together. People assemble at raves and parties and bond over their love of electronic music. Being a part of this community, Fred Again understands this and uses it to his full advantage. His most recent studio album, "Actual Life 3," does not feel like the mainstream albums that have been coming out over the past decade. This project is very elaborate, and Fred gave the utmost attention to every detail.
It is said that electronic artists are highly talented at production, and the focus is the cleanliness of the mixing, mastering, and arrangement. Many consumers of modern-day music believe that to emit a feeling in music, words and lyrics are essential. Although this is the case within genres such as Pop and Hip-Hop/Rap, Fred proves this is wrong within the electronic genre. Fred does use vocals and uses many samples, but sparingly. He wants his listeners to feel euphoric and light, and the project does feel like a warm hug. His specific personal touch on this album comes from the names of the tracks. He worked with many people on this project and named each track after the collaborator who helped him.
The album has a beautiful balance of soft tracks and upbeat tracks. "Kammy (like i do)" is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, but it is also one of the more basic tracks. Although some consider this a turn-off, listeners must consider the album's structure. This project was not meant to sound or flow like other albums in modern-day mainstream music. Every track connects and feels like a live DJ set more than a studio album. So, context matters. "Kammy (like i do)" is led by "Delilah (pull me out of this)." It has an interesting structure, vibrant sounds, and is upbeat. In this track, Fred showcases his ability to make the most of the littlest samples and vocal lines. Although the track has words, there aren't many. Repetition can get boring, but Fred has a talent for picking the moments where the voice would be most effective. The production of the song is clean. There is a lot of energy, and it exudes euphoria. So, although there are tracks that do not stand out, such as "Kammy (like i do)," Fred did a great job structuring the album, so those kinds of songs are fewer and far between.
In contrast to the faster-paced track, Fred includes some contrasting, experimental slow music. "Berwyn (all that i got is you)" is the first of these tracks on this album. The track takes on a predominantly lo-fi feel. The drum line contrasts this and gives the track a touch of energy. Fred stuck true to his vision of making this album feel like a concert/DJ set. It feels like an interlude, soothing the listeners for what's about to come next in the album.
Nonetheless, it is cinematic in a way. The track incorporates a lot of spoken dialogue, which creates imagery for listeners. "Winnie (end of me)" is another slow and airy track that comes right before the outro track. As the title suggests, the track is about endings. The vocals are melodic and well-produced. The instrumental also fits the vocal well and is soothing. It is suitable for what it is, and electronic fans will appreciate this album.
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
“Pretty Little Devils” by Reyna Roberts – Experimenting with genres can be difficult, and many artists must catch up. Although Reyna Roberts is a talented country artist, this single cannot be classified as one of her best works. Although this track has some excellent aspects, it mostly sounds rushed in every aspect. One impressive thing is how Roberts controls her voice. Some parts of the song are more pop music oriented, while others are more country music oriented. She must change the way she delivers her vocals often in this song. It is safe to say that it works. After all, the vocals are the sole reason to listen to this song.
One thing that could use improvement in this track is the lyric writing. Although it is a catchy song, many lyrics are predictable and typical. Considering a lot was going on in the track’s instrumental, the songwriting could have used space. There are no instrumental breaks, and the track gets overwhelming at some points, especially with the ad-libs. Although the top-line vocals were mixed well, I think the background vocals could have used some work. Roberts already has a beautiful voice. Although autotune can add creative effects, I feel it was overdone in this track. Many aspects of the instrumental were quieter than they should have been. The snare is extremely difficult to hear, especially in the chorus. The 808 is mixed nicely, but it does not stand out enough. There is brass in the chorus that I also wish stood out more. It is nice ear candy but too quiet to hear.
The arrangement of the song should have been paid more attention to. This song has a lot going on and is tough to keep up with. It is fast paced; as I said, this song could do with some space. Yes, it is different, and it takes courage for artists to step out of their comfort zones and try new things. Still, the best results can only be achieved with great care and attention to detail. Roberts’ career didn’t begin too long ago. Her first single came out in 2019, so she will keep improving. Although I didn’t particularly enjoy this song, I believe in Roberts as a vocalist. She is very talented and deserves recognition for her voice. With improvement, she can become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK
“Jimmy Cooks” by Drake & 21 Savage: Drake has already passed his peak. Yet, the world is still curious to see what he does next. Although it has been a few years since he released a solid project, it seems he has something up his sleeve. I cannot say the same for 21 Savage. He consistently performs good music and is a fan favorite among hip-hop/rap consumers. At first glance, this music video is just a music video. Even then, I thought it was going to be boring. Drake and 21 Savage were going to stand there and rap at the camera with nothing else going on. The set is simple, with a stage, some lights, and a screen behind the two rappers. What is ironic is that 21 Savage stands in the back dancing while Drake is rapping his verse. So, what does 21 Savage have anything to do with this?
This music video took a bit of a monumental turn. Drake and 21 Savage chose to take this moment to announce the release of their first collaborative album. Although the music video could have stopped after they told this, the camera kept rolling. There is a sense of comfort that comes with the scenery, although it is a little absurd. It sets the tone for their album and the direction they are going in with this project. This collaboration is warranted. Drake’s last masterpiece came in 2016 with his album “Views.” To this day, every rap consumer loves that album, and it will remain a hip-hop/rap classic for a long time.
21 Savage will bring a new perspective to the table, however. Over the past few years, he has been featured on many projects. He is known for his flow and delivery and seems to be in tune with what his audience wants. He outshined Drake with his feature on “Knife Talk,” I am afraid he may do that again with this project. This video and collaboration are a great move, especially for Drake. Although he may never fall out of mass fame, his music quality has declined over the years, while 21 Savage has been on the rise.
Overall, this music video was a great marketing move. Although, it could have been so much more creative. Seeing this announcement in a music video with a story would have been more interesting. I wish they had put more time and effort into this, but it does show their status as artists. They do not need to do anything to get people’s attention. Yes, they have worked hard to get to where they are. But their music and videos seem to be something they must do. I believe that the effort artists put into their work is essential, regardless of fame. It is lazy, and Drake rushed it. Yes, they had this vision in mind, but it was boring. A little more effort could have been put into this. After all, many artists are putting their all into every aspect of their careers and not getting the recognition they deserve. That being said, it is exciting that they released new music, and the world clearly can’t wait to hear it.
