Back it up and dump it, back it up and dump it
Back it up and dump it, back it up and dump it
If you tilt your head, squint your eyes, and listen carefully, you may be able to make out this phrase in the new single “Ten” by English recording artist and DJ, Fred Gibson (most commonly known by his professional name Fred again..).
You are quickly hit with constant repetition in what feels like a three-minute loop of blurry vocals overlapping an EDM-style beat, changing in tempo, in an elevator ride to a floor you did not select.
While at first, I was confused, I was driven to find the value and meaning in the newest piece of Gibson’s journey of portraying “actual life” through music created by mixing sounds from his environment which he typically captures with his iPhone and iPad.
Gibson records the world around him to piece together a narrative of life that includes the noise of London with sounds of crowded bars, the underground and unique phrases he captures through voice recordings on his phone.
His symphony is created not with an instrument in his hands but a device in his lap. He replaces ivory keys with ones on his computer to digitally create patterns and sounds to make the emotional atmosphere he desires.
Rather than lyrics, most of his songs include a voice snippet or phrase that is repeated alongside the beat such as “We’ve lost dancing” in his most popular release, “Marea,” and “Pull me out of this” in “Delilah.”
Fred again.. stands as a symbol of a changing industry where anyone is able to sit down and create a tune or single in the palm of their hand through software on their phone.
While this same principle applies to the journalism industry as anyone can whip out X, Facebook, or Instagram and instantly become a reporter, our society appears to get lost in the noise. As truth and beauty are redefined by whoever shouts the loudest, we face a danger to the preservation of what is art.
For me, I get lost in the repetitive noise of Fred again..’s single “Ten.” There is no instrument guiding me through a musical journey or a vocalist painting a picture or story for me to invest in.
As I bounce my head to the tune, I long for a chord progression, solo riff or words of substance to keep me coming back, but unfortunately, I am inclined to back it up and dump it in the growing list of music that stands out to me as noise rather than art.
Our trendy and experimental society challenges us to find some personal meaning in everything even if it is not there. I gave Gibson the benefit of my doubts to search for the meaning and story he placed in his newest song as I sought to relate with his creation.
I was met with an article that explained that the song’s meaning is “open to interpretation as the lyrics do not provide explicit meaning.”
I believe there is no greater value or skill than assigning meaning and purpose to your creation. Why would you build something that does not have a reason?
Fred again.. signals an important shift in creative arts in our culture. My frustrations may reside in my old-school upbringing and values. I long for the sound of a true symphony as horns blast, strings echo and drums shake creating an atmosphere of talented craft.
When our creation lacks an intended purpose, what is the point of making it?
