The art direction chosen by artists continues to be one of the most fascinating things I get to observe. It really is such a peek into the mind that created the song you’re listening to, even if sometimes I can’t necessarily make sense of what the takeaway should be. For instance: the new PIAO. I am in love with this goat. I do not know why this goat is here, but I really like this goat, and the song it’s paired with isn’t half bad either.
If your introduction to PIAO was tap my foot (ฅ’ω’ฅ) like mine was, you’re in for bit of a vibe shift. Contrary to the catchy and confident reassurance of the former, the feeling here is one that, while still maintaining this preppy enthusiasm, is also wading through heaps of introspective questioning of identity. “if i am me, then who are you?” is a phenomenal blend of all the best elements of pop-trap with just a bit of experimental flair and self-reflective thought. Off the bat, greeting us with bright, chopped up synth chords, the tone is set with this feeling somewhere between ethereal and blinding, flashing lights. The introduction of a smooth 808 bass and PIAO’s whispy, smooth delivery dials in that energy to something incredibly smooth and flowing. As each staccato line flows by, cutting through the waves of sound, we’re guided towards an absolute treat of a pre-chorus, reintroducing the soundscape of the intro now paired against tight artificial vocal doubles. It’s a moment that evokes this almost lost feeling in its floaty instrumentation, let alone its lyrical content questioning if our reflection is really even us.
Existentialism aside, the chorus on this song plunges you back in, now with a catchy hook, full trap hihats, and my favourite vocal adlibs possibly ever (which I am absolutely going to go on a tangent about now). I genuinely think these backing vocals are what tie this entire track together. The quick interjections of “me?” range from misty whispers, excited questions, to the most animated exclamations, bringing a very on-brand energy for a PIAO track. To drop the journalistic formality, it’s just so god damn fun. It made me legitimately smile, so it gets full points from me.
Generally, I just think this track knows what it’s trying to be and does it so exceptionally well, not just fitting within the conventions of its genre ties, but adding so much personal flavour to it along the way. The producer in me also just adores how well everything’s pieced together. As much of a nerd as it makes me seem like, I got legitimately excited in the outro when I realized that the sub bass and 808 were too separate layers when they began acting independently of each other, as one would cut and the other would continue. From personal experience, bass layering is a hell of an exercise sometimes, so huge props to the mix engineer who did that. Overall, I think this song was a much-needed boost in my playlist. I mean come on, theres a goat on the spotify canvas? And it’s cute? And the song is great? Asking for more is simply selfish.
Leave a Reply