“Drunk” by Mating Ritual – A Song Review

     “Drunk” is the equivalent of a suite of software programs. While a “bundle” is a collection of programs that separately and independently perform their functions, programs in a “suite” are more powerful because they cooperatively interact.

     The lyrics of “Drunk” are included in this post. There is substantial repetition in the first two stanzas. The repetition is easily identifiable when reading the lyrics, but isn’t nearly as apparent when listening to the single from Mating Ritual. Originally, the tempo and vocalization are plodding and dreamlike, carrying the impression that some drinking has occurred – “You were drunk.” The instrumental support is machine-generated percussion in a synth-heavy surrounding. That all changes at 1:44, other than with respect to the lyrics. At that point, “Drunk” goes up-tempo, the percussion becomes “organic,” the melody is guitar-driven, and the vocals are energetically crisp. Like the software programs in a suite, the two portions can stand on their own, but they are more powerful when linked.

     And the song isn’t limited to two portions. At 4:43, only the bass and processed vocals are present. Later, a crescendo delivers the listener to an uplifted outro. “Drunk” seamlessly transitions from one portion to the next, with a sophistication that places Mating Ritual on the short list of artists that need to be watched.

     Mating Ritual is the performance name of Ryan Marshall Lawhon, who is based in Los Angeles. Mating Ritual will release a full debut album on June 9, 2017, via Smooth Jaws. The album, “How You Gonna Stop It?” will include eleven tracks, including “Drunk.”

     Quoting content from a SubmitHub submission:

  Mating Ritual is also thrilled to announce an artist-curated benefit, "No Matter What," on June 24 at The Hi Hat in LA to celebrate the release of "How You Gonna Stop It?." The event will consist of performances by a group of LA-based musicians and benefit the Planned Parenthood location in their community...; The event is presented by Vinyl Moon/Burning Ear and Smooth Jaws, and lineup includes performances by Mating Ritual, Beginners, DYAN, La Bouquet, Oddnesse, Inspired and the Sleep, and The Openers, along with DJ sets from Sir Sly, DJ L0L0 (From Pr0files) and Bad Wave. CLICK HERE for tickets and more information.

     “Drunk” by Mating Ritual Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matingritualsounds

Website: http://www.matingritualsounds.com/

Lyrics of “Drunk” by Mating Ritual

I laid on my back

An echo of silence

Floating on top a shallow pool of self-awareness

Or a lack there of, when I saw your face and I knew

That you were drunk

You were drunk

I laid on my back

An echo of silence

Floating on top a shallow pool of self-awareness

Or a lack there of, when I saw your face and I knew

That you had just come

And you were far away from done

All we want to do is to be something

To be something we're not

But all we really want is to have someone

To hold us when we're drunk

When we’re drunk

It's more than just sex

It's more than our bodies

It's more than a movement made from self-loathing and irony

But I don't know what to call just quite just yet

So I'm gonna shut up

Cause I'm so far away from done

All we want to do is to be something

Be something we're not

But all we really want is to have someone

To hold us when we're drunk

When we’re drunk

All we want to do is to be something

Be something we're not

And all we really want is to have someone

To hold us when we're drunk

I was drunk