An unusual tune with dreamy keys and the use of voices as a percussive driving force, coupled with soulful lead vocals, puts Deeper Than in a unique sound world all its own.
The different vocal states are a real feature here, and their weight has been carefully measured to build texture and colour and retain interest in a tune that moves through several different chapters in the course of its narrative.
Clocking in at a little over 4 minutes, Deeper Than has been given the chance to explore all facets of its classic RnB arrangement. There are parts of soulful, calming, emotive singing that have not been put through buckets of effects and retain an authentic human feel – a little similar to upcoming indie artist Leyma. The capture is intimate, and close to the mic. The harmonies that bolster these sections are smooth, but harmonically angular, giving them an exotic feel.
There’s some smooth, well-syncopated (and sometimes skilfully double-tracked) rapping with imaginative rhymes that doesn’t ever feel like it’s trying too hard. And then there’s even an extended instrumental section featuring something that sounds like a treated ‘glass violin’ synth to play us out.
But what really sets it apart is the aforementioned use of backing vocals as percussion to drive segments of the tune with their sibilant syncopation.
Episodic, ever-shifting and compelling, Deeper Than has a lot going on. This can drown some tunes, but here is an example of how to do complex without blowing it. A great collaboration with a great atmosphere.
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