Flat 15 (Step up)
Joseph Bell
Atmospheric and poignant, two words that perfectly fit this new single from Joseph Bell.
When you think of songs that carry a social commentary, you think Punk or Hip Hop. Well now, you can add Pop to that list. In his new single, Flat 15 (Step Up), Joseph gives us a peek into his own opinions on modern life.
“…It was a lot of millennial angst about the state of the world, social media, modern pressures and the feeling that everything we do is judged…”
Running with these ideas and inspired by artists such as James Blake and Bon Iver, Joseph has created an almost trance like R’n’B/Pop song that acts as a great vessel for his message.
With its use of a single note to open the track, to the layering of gentle synths as the track progresses, the song cradles the listener in a warm musical eviroment. Add to this Josephs smooth vocals and a non intrusive drum pattern and the sound is complete.
Further on into the song he adds a synth to act as a harmonising vocal but rather than detract from the song it fits nicely into the arrangement in a natural way. As it is wound into the chorus it highlights the lyrics “…Brain from the angels…” and “…Body from the gods…”, it could be a musical choice to emphasise the feeling that we are being programmed to believe these things are necessary.
Given the song then goes on to comment on peoples need for social media validation is an addiction, summed up perfectly with the line “…inject the validation into my veins…”, it can be assumed that the use of the electro harmonies are there on purpose and really shows Joseph songwriting ability goes beyond the words and music.
Though only 22 years old, this Shrewsbury born artist shows a great understanding of the pitfalls in his generations need for technology and the need to present the perfect life online. “…instagram my dancing…” being one of the lines that leave no room for doubt on his opinion of those people that live their lives on social media, rather than in reality.
Overall, this is not a complicated song full of philosophical leanings that will make you question the way we have all been living. It is just the honest comments of a young man on the state in which he finds the world that he is hoping to take a place in. Something a lot of us can relate to.
Link to the song:
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Flat 15 (Step up)When you think of songs that carry a social commentary, you think Punk or Hip Hop. Well now, you can add Pop to that list. In his new single, Flat 15 (Step Up), Joseph gives us a peek into his own opinions on modern life.
Running with these ideas and inspired by artists such as James Blake and Bon Iver, Joseph has created an almost trance like R’n’B/Pop song that acts as a great vessel for his message.
With its use of a single note to open the track, to the layering of gentle synths as the track progresses, the song cradles the listener in a warm musical eviroment. Add to this Josephs smooth vocals and a non intrusive drum pattern and the sound is complete.
Further on into the song he adds a synth to act as a harmonising vocal but rather than detract from the song it fits nicely into the arrangement in a natural way. As it is wound into the chorus it highlights the lyrics “…Brain from the angels…” and “…Body from the gods…”, it could be a musical choice to emphasise the feeling that we are being programmed to believe these things are necessary.
Given the song then goes on to comment on peoples need for social media validation is an addiction, summed up perfectly with the line “…inject the validation into my veins…”, it can be assumed that the use of the electro harmonies are there on purpose and really shows Joseph songwriting ability goes beyond the words and music.
Though only 22 years old, this Shrewsbury born artist shows a great understanding of the pitfalls in his generations need for technology and the need to present the perfect life online. “…instagram my dancing…” being one of the lines that leave no room for doubt on his opinion of those people that live their lives on social media, rather than in reality.
Overall, this is not a complicated song full of philosophical leanings that will make you question the way we have all been living. It is just the honest comments of a young man on the state in which he finds the world that he is hoping to take a place in. Something a lot of us can relate to.
Excellent review and I agree!