CRITICAL SONG ANALYSIS

SONG CHOICE: ‘NIGHTCLUBBING’ by IGGY POP

The Explicit Beat Layer is established instantly with a lo-fi drum machine, setting the rhythm for the song & creating tension ready for the other instrumental layers to be introduced on top of it. After establishing the tempo, a synthesizer drops in & follows the bass drum of the drum machine & working within the melodic layer. Both of these elements establish a lot of the overall vibe & sound of the song, as well as almost foreshadowing the sluggish, slightly seductive haul that is the track.

The Functional Bassline Layer follows after this with a simplistic bassline, soon to be followed by some synthesizers working within the Harmonic Filler Layer. At this point it feels like it has all slowly been built on top of the Drum Machine Loop & has shown each step of this structure building. I really like this as it almost gives each element & instrument so far its own introduction & chance to establish itself.

We’re then introduced to some Piano that is acting as the Melodic layer & foreshadows the vocal harmony. As we’ve seen each layer been built up, it feels like this is the final piece that fulfills the songs instrumentation, each layer complimenting each other & bouncing of each hit of the Drum Machine loop. The synthesizer working as the Harmonic Filler Layer drops out allowing plenty of room for Iggy’s vocals which follow the Piano riff.

After a few lines, a guitar solo sweeps in to replace the lead vocals in place of Harmonic Filler Layer, joined also by the droning synth. The instrumentation also adds another note to its progression during this section to really establish the solo & spotlight it.

As the solo concludes it reveals the instrumentation which is reduced to the Functional Bass Layer (Bass guitar), Explicit Beat Layer (Drum Machine) & Melodic Layer (Synthesizer). This feels like a breather & also creates tension for what’s to come next. When the multiple layers of vocals come in, one vocal layer follows the Piano riff still (Hamonic Filler Layer) while the rest work within the Melodic layer. The vocals drop out allowing another guitar solo to shine above the instrumentation in the Harmonic Layer & carries the song out.

The Harmonic Fill Layer felt like it was being fulfilled throughout the song as the vocals & lead guitar both took turns to work within the layer. It also felt like a call & response between the both of them too.

SESSION #3 – SHAPE

On our Monday session, each group presented their track & received feedback on it. We got some really good feedback on ours & the AB aspect of the song was very well received. We also received some helpful constructive criticism with regards to vocal levels within the track & was told our track could have used some variation in the drums.

Once we went through all of our tracks, we were introduced to one of the course playlists, song structures, textural layers, instrument functions & how to critically analyse & listen to music.

We gained an understanding of the Explicit Beat Layer, Functional Bass Layer, Melodic Layer & Harmonic Filler Layer. It was interesting to see & think about how each layer has instruments that commonly fulfil the role of these textural layers, it could be executed with just about any instrument to delve into experimental territory.

After this discussion, we started moving onto song shape. We discussed what aspects of a song could make it be perceived as groovy. We had such examples as constant hi-hat, straight groove (not swung), kick on the beat, snare on 2 and 4 (head bob) & unexpected syncopation. This lead onto this weeks group task & the song we would be creating within those groups. We were assigned to make a song following the criteria above.

We were once again allowed to form our own groups. I chose Kane, Kayde & Robyn again with the addition of Theo on guitar also. We decided to practice on the upcoming Friday afternoon as it was a day we were all free on.

SESSION #2 – MUSICAL PLAY 2

In this lecture we discussed & tried to define what a song is by definition. It was interesting to put it into perspective, but also interesting to hear the various theories & ideas about the definition of it, giving different a vast range of perspectives.

We also started discussing structure; more specifically AB structures & loops. This lead onto this weeks group assessment. We were assigned to form groups of 3 to 5 & create a 2 to 3 minute track incorporating an AB structure as well as using loops throughout it.

I formed a group of 4; Me on Drums, Kane on Lead Guitar, Kayde on Double Bass & Robyn on Vocals. I had previously worked with them for a task during the induction week & knew I gelled well with them so forming the group was easily done. We took the practice room once the lecture had finished, discussed ideas & jammed some ideas.

I’m happy with the track we created & even though it did not emphasise the looping aspect of the criteria too blatantly, I think we got the AB Structure spot on with a drastic change between the two with a change in time signature & BPM, it created something really unconventional & interesting.

The song felt like a Jazz & Rock track melded together, which made it even more interesting for me as I haven’t really played within these genres on drums & am definitely more interested in doing so after grasping some of the tropes of playing within the genres.

SESSION #1 – MUSICAL PLAY 1

The week mostly consisted of getting to know everyone on the course with various tasks as well as what we will be working on throughout the first year within this module. We briefly talked over the 2 up & coming assessments in the future & the criteria behind the grading.

One of the tasks we did in groups was to discuss & write on a forum the various platforms & mediums we use to digest & keep up-to-date on music with. This was great as I learnt about a dozen new ways to discover music. This alongside the various rhythm based games we played with the entire class really helped to break the ice & get everyone more comfortable with each other. It was good to get an insight into what each person was interested in & if I shared any common interests with them benefitting potential future collaborations in the future of the course.