The Return - Uzzee
Like blood blossoming from a deep cut in a shallow shark pool (great opening video visuals), this song puts forth a vibe of danger and innovation referencing Grime’s original wave. Building upon the loose 2-step time signature typical of much of the era’s work, the beat progresses into strange and unnerving territory, much like the on-screen narrative of the brilliantly composed video. An unmistakably catchy and simple synth line punctuates most of the song, butting heads with memorable vocal melodies upon which Uzzee’s decent rhymes are engraved. Relative simplicity is the key; the sparse minimalism of the beat’s percussive elements distance themselves from each other, inviting the listener into a hypnotically abrasive, calm headspace which threatens to seethe at the hint of a wind. This solid example of production, which also borrows foundations from the trap style is slightly let down in the arena of lyricism. The conceptual poetry and lyrical content of his words leave room for improvement in the finesse of execution, but he sure can spit. Some may argue that the simplicity exhibited here mirrors the minimalist angle of production, but where do you draw the line?
The overall package is pretty great though, when you consider the work that has gone into the video. A bizarre mash-up of what seems to be a day in the life of Uzzee… he seemingly explores some dark realms that happen to lie just beyond the surface of your unsuspecting and undecidedly average neighbourhood or town. At first you don’t quite know what to think of his pointless meanderings through non-descript streets, like a Wesley Snipes a la Blade on LSD, getting lost on the way to the studio. But slowly it makes sense. Heavy allusions are made to bizarre vandalism, occultism, vampirism, societal degradation and cannibalism through surreal and alarming scenes that are produced with fantastic skill. You can almost feel the moist patter of the lifeless drizzle as he walks through the street, and the grot of whatever torture dungeon/restaurant (loving the impractically shaped jug) he visits almost rubs off on you. The authenticity of whatever fucked up pseudo-satanic situation Uzzee ends up in is very believable thanks to the casting and scene composition. The attractive yet unsettling body modifications on display coupled with the brilliant legitimacy of the shoot location that seems half ancient ruin, half haunted Victorian manor, weaves a fearful yet enticing atmosphere. Like bare-knuckle boxing the Dalai Lama, you know you would. Well worth a listen and look.
abdul
☮♡✌︎
More from Uzzee at: http://pyramidsofimhotep.com/
