Through solid basslines, slinky riffs, and defining beats, this album fully encapsulates the experiences and struggles of one that may be applicable to many. âSlow Progressâ consists of twelve tracks, each of which tells a story within a similar path. It embodies the sound of alternative hip-hop, with rap that leaves no detail behind.
It is safe to say that this record is extremely personal, shared with listeners in an intimate way. Sure, it contradicts the major theme sound-wise, but it does not take away the essence whatsoever. âDo It Like Thisâ, the opening track, starts off cool, as itâs not bombarded with overwhelming combinations right away.
The line âJust children with no attachment and forced to survive / You canât inherit a sudden passion for changing your lifeâ just⊠hits. It talks about the overwhelming bitterness over sweetness in life, and the injustice within the system, particularly in creating, as not all are guaranteed a ticket to mainstream, as material with no essence would probably get more attention than art with depth.
âLaid Back (Freestyle)â is filled with witty rhymes and implications, really emphasizing and giving a reason why people should be watching out for Callum Ford: âIâm not a dancer, Iâm a singer and a rapperâ. The interludes are sleek, and the bassline completes the track altogether. Perhaps these songs introduce listeners indirectly to the artist and what this album in particular is going to bring to the table.
Aimed at something more outward, âMost Obvious Wayâ is a song more about a relationship, seemingly talking about conflict in terms of priorities, as well as both partiesâ wants and needs. Similarly, âA Polite Breakupâ, as ironic as it looks to be, is somewhat toxic as seen through the chorus: âShe said, âbaby donât you let me down tonightâ/ One more mistake, she wonât let me out her sightâ. Whatâs more is that it verbalizes and conceptualizes a messy mind.
Speaking of, âIâll Quit Tomorrowâ zeroes in on that very phrase, describing the feeling of going nowhere in life, which would then resort to the songâs title. But, the line âSwallow my pride / Keep myself alive / Taking a deep breath, and keep it all insideâ implies a remaining fight in him. The riff within this track is a breath of fresh air, adding variety to the overall sound profile of the album. Moreover, â400 Degreesâ talks about inner struggles as well, but this time utilizing âPicture the scene / Building is burning these eyes / Swimming upstream, built from tears of my loved ones after my demiseâ, a devastating image across a catchy hook.
At this point, listeners would be able to categorize these songs as part of a group, yet whatâs interesting is the unique takes and elements in select tracks, such as âEvil Schemesâ and âWhat I Likeâ, both consisting of continuous grooves of fun line deliveries and rhythm, that one would fail to recognize the ever-so-continuation of the major theme. These are breathers, in a sense, as the fuzzy feeling and chill melodies are sure to make audiences vibe and bob their heads to the beat.
Moving forward, âThe Real Thingâ contains the great question of âare you loving/harming me?â, a song with great arrangement that seems like something from the perspective of a genuine and sincere person in a world full of lies and inauthenticity. The line âAll we do is fabricate / Sleep in these lies we makeâ is powerful and stands out in particular.
The contrast of âItâs my insanity thatâs keeping me saneâ in âSupernovaâ makes it clear that the song is in fact about instability. Itâs all well said, to the point that every line might make audiences empathize and connect with the pain and ache described by the artist. Likewise, âBorderlineâ opens with an abundance of self-awareness, with self-doubt being a contributing factor if one were to read between the lines.
âSilent Typeâ holds a raw structure, told in story or conversation-like manner. Itâs a mix of different tempos, creating a unique dynamic between sections. It describes a person lacking a sense of self, just crossing the point of insecurity hence the opening line of âHeâs not the silent type / So we can start to worryâ.
Overall, this record is a worthy contender for having so much depth and personality in it. It balances out wittiness and despair, being the best of both worlds. If youâre looking for more meaning sounding through your headphones or through the lines, âSlow Progressâ is worth a try.
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About the Author
A psychology major with a knack for music and writing. Mostly indulges in alternative rock, indie, and pop punk.
A non-skippable album, every song just hits right with these powerful beats. Baselines in “silent type”,”the real thing” and especially “most obvious way” are just out of this world. My personal favourite lately đ