Each Measure Feature: Consequential

FEATURE

Fresh out the gate, my fairly passable headphones do not do justice to Consequential’s new thumping new single, “LivingLife-NeedU.” It’s a private party listening alone, but it begs the greater experience of a proper set of subs and space to move. The artist promises an escape to another realm and delivers that experience, blending old and modern sounds in a layering of visceral beats and shimmering vocals. 

The slick finish of this new track proves this independent music producer's expertise. It’s neither too simple nor too noisy, starting with an eclectic collection of sounds like falling down the rabbit hole. A dreamy and dark atmosphere is created with the ethereal warbling sounds, a place of mystery and curiosity. Then, charging in at 45 seconds, the bassline carries the experience onwards as if travelling through a strange new landscape with the opening line, “I’m free from the web that used to hold me back.” Rising into a sonorous chorus, the song continues to scatter new sounds throughout, backed with that rippling background as if recorded in some underwater city. But the journey is not without contrast; bright notes pierce through a steady drum and bass rhythm, and a chugging bass line heightens that dramatic tension. Amidst all the layers, the vocals surprisingly seem to take a casual backseat. 

The words are difficult to parse out. It’s only when I really tuned in that I caught some of the lyrics. But one of the great qualities of electronic music, and especially in this song, is the manipulation of vocals for its auditory qualities rather than lyrical meaning. I found myself listening the first few times without even wanting to understand what was being said and instead enjoying the dreamy quality of the vocals blending with the atmosphere, the effect being that they come from a greater place. 

Consequential reflects that their music offers a step into another realm, this latest song being a feel-good track to brighten one's day. Knowing this big sound was actually recorded in the Suffolk countryside in the company of their loyal rottweiler, I think we can say mission accomplished. 

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