Deem Spencer - We Think We Alone - Short Review
Release: August 25th, 2017.
Genre: Lofi Indie Hip Hop
Favorite Track: Eve’s Titties
Least Favorite Track: Mother Earth
Thoughts: About six months ago, I heard Deem Spencer’s Soap based off of a Youtube recommendation. It was a really interesting track with lofi production and a really steady, almost annoyed delivery from Deem. He sounded authentic. I listened to his other music and while none of it struck me the way that Soap did, I knew I would be listening for his next release.
The song Dirt from this album came up on my Cymbal and I decided to check out his more recent project (I think this is likely just an EP or a mixtape that he put up on major streaming platforms).
I’ve listened to the project a good amount and I still don’t feel like I have a real grasp on it. I can’t tell how Deem is feeling at this point in his life. I don’t feel like I understand his sound completely either.
Deem is eclectic in spite of just how short this project is (22 minutes).
There are times when his drums are buried beneath guitars and suffocating synths and there are times when Deem sounds like he’s trying to emulate some of Kid Cudi’s recent works.
Elements of Knxwledge and Earl Sweatshirt are also definitely here.
And to be blunt, the EP or album or project doesn’t all come together to tell me much. There are moments when Deem’s voice really shows its limitations. There are times were it’s very clear that Deem is producing with very few resources and recording with a potato for a microphone.
But when a song like Eve’s Titties comes on, I can’t help but be impressed by his mix of references, a monotone flow, and some really sticky imagery.
It feels really good to hear from someone who feels how you do and often times I find myself identifying with Deem’s general sentiment. It feels good to know that other people feel tired, or bored, or depressed in some minor way.
Deem did a good job on this project because in spite of the obvious critiques about production quality, vocal limitations, lack of song structure, and filler tracks, this project sounds real.
It feels like it was created by a human. It was written by someone who is creative, someone who is flawed, and someone who cares about the music they’re making.
This isn’t me making any kind of excuse for this little known project. This is my attempt to say that if I hear that sounds like a product, then it deserves no respect. I don’t like hearing the sound of a board room or a label inside of your album.
I’ll take a personal, flawed, and ultimately real project every time.
I look forward to Deem’s next release. He is the next guy up in the alt-rap scene. If that’s really a scene.
5.5/10
