“Illusions” by Diamond Thug – A Song Review

     “Illusions” has a polished elegance, even in its ingenious use of raw elements. The track from Diamond Thug begins and ends with an engaging, looping riff that was created by “hammering” a €1 coin against the strings of a guitar. Between the two occurrences of the high frequency riff is a Space Rock journey through a melody that is often solemn and through vocals that are sometimes acrobatic.

     The use of the coin to obtain a specific sound is intriguing. Brian May of Queen was known for his use of a sixpence, but it was employed in the same manner as a guitar pick, rather than a “hammer.” Another interesting sound is heard during the chants of “It’s better than.” Is that a jaw harp?

     Diamond Thug is based in Cape Town. So, this is the second feature of a band from South Africa in this week’s posts (after yesterday’s BRYNN). The members of Diamond Thug are Chantel Van T (vocals, keys), Danilo Queiros (bass, production), Adrian Culhane (guitar, synth, backing vocals, production), and Ted Buxton (drums). “Illusions” is a track from the album “Apastron." In an interview with Cape Town’s MyCityByNight, the band described “Illusions” as:

 “[A] very powerful song to us live and it is generally received as a strong song for the crowd too. It’s a bit louder than the rest of our songs, we have big builds and quirky sounds… There are also big shouting choruses with strong bass and crashing drums. It’s as if this song brings the feeling of ‘breaking free from’ something, anything.”

     “Illusions” by Diamond Thug

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diamondthugSA/

Website: http://www.diamondthug.com/

Bandcamp: https://diamondthug.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Illusions” by Diamond Thug

Break lights

Capture me in this sound

Hold me right

Right under this ground

Strange now

Hearing me out loud

Illusions make this

This harder to tell

Harder to tell

Wake up

Better than your dreaming

Better than this feeling

It’s better than this

Make up

Better than believing

It's better than deceiving

It’s better than

Days in

And days on end

Those days

Have their own friends

Keep in time

And keeping up

With their rhymes

Not sure you can handle the wild

Handle the wild

Wake up, better than your dreaming

Better than this feeling

It’s better than this

Make up

Better than believing

It's better than deceiving

It’s better than

It's better than

It's better than

It's better than

Man, oh man

Today’s one of these

I hissed and resisted

All that came with ease

There are no fixed walls

Within these tumbling

Universal laws

Universal laws

It's better than

It's better than

It's better than

It's better than

It's better than

It's better than

“About Time” by BRYNN – A Song Review

      South Africa is the new Iceland. Geographically, the two countries are almost literally polar opposites. But musically, the comparison is fair. A few years ago, the music universe awakened to the quality, quantity and variety of music from Iceland (Kaleo, Of Monsters and Men, Björk, Sigur Rós…). There are signs that South Africa is experiencing a similar overdue appreciation for the quality of the country’s music and the talent of its musicians.

     The Cape Town band BRYNN is an example, although they separate from the instruments and beats that characterize the territory. One of the five members is a violinist and in the song “About Time,” a fugal horn is given a significant role. The fugal horn is more aligned with Europe. BRYNN adds conventional Rock elements to the less common Indie ingredients to generate a power that pulses throughout the song.

     “About Time” is embedded in three formats (Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube). Our recommendation is to watch the video, since it provides insights into the personalities of the musicians and the passion behind the song’s message. The track is an anthem, although one that inspires via self-awareness more than a call to rally together. The message is existential, while still explaining that we have support systems:

Don’t have to be so afraid

To allow yourself

To let go

Cause those you love

They’re right there behind you

They’ll catch you

If you fall

      The song has a flow despite its many ebbs. That is, the recurring shifts in emphasis and power are evident while listening to “About Time,” yet the song has a calming fluidity. The above seven lines of the lyrics begin around 1:35 (Soundcloud) with a strong emphasis on vocals. Between the third and fourth lines, the vocals temporarily step aside for the instruments. In the final line, the spotlight is shared, as “fall” is sustained while the instruments again jump forward.

     BRYNN is Jules Terea (vocals, rhythm guitar), David Van Vuuren (lead guitar), Hezron Chetty (violin), Alex Smillie (bass), and Eddy Kriel (drums). “About Time” features Lee Thomson on flugal horn and Francesca Biancoli with backing vocals.

     “About Time” by BRYNN – A Song Review

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brynnmusicza/

April Songs that Bear Repeating

     As a welcome to the new month, here are the favorite songs from April posts of Indie Obsessive. In retrospect, it was a great month for discovering female vocalists.

     “Feel the Energy” by Sean Koch (from the post of April 9, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “Alyssa” by Jumanji (from the post of April 12, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “War Face” by Lowell (from the post of April 9, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “Get Found” by The Heart Of (from the post of April 24, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “Lone Wolf” by Georgi Kay (from the post of April 23, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “Lash Out” by Alice Merton (from the post of April 10, CLICK HERE if interested).

     "Born In The Right Country" by River Whyless (from the post of April 3, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “White Lines” by Eliza Shaddad (from the post of April 19, CLICK HERE if interested).

      “Killer” by Coleman Hell (from the post of April 25, CLICK HERE if interested).

     “The Execution” by Tuarrah (from the post of April 27, CLICK HERE if interested).

      “All I Want” by Francis (from the post of April 6, CLICK HERE if interested).

      “Horizon” by Island (from the post of April 6, CLICK HERE if interested).

     The comprehensive list with deserving bonus tracks (via Spotify):