Very rarely is there ever a song that I would recommend to everyone. Julian Casablancas + the Voidz have produced a masterpiece that fits into this category of exceptions quite nicely.
Julian Casablancas is better known for his work with the New York based band, the Strokes. Throughout the 2000's, The Strokes rose to prominence within the music scene, cementing their legacy as one of the most important rock bands to emerge from that era.
As time progressed, each of the members felt the need to go in separate directions for a bit so that they could have the creative freedom to produce their solo works. As a result, Julian formed a new band behind his name, one who's sound differs greatly from that of the Strokes.
In 2014, the band released the first single off of their new album titled Tyranny. It was a ten minute piece that had many people scratching their heads on an initial look because of just how long it was. Ten minute pieces for any artist should be seen as an accomplishment as every single second has to work in the song's favor.
The title of this song is Human Sadness. Here it is:
The music presented in this song is nothing short of amazing. The Voidz have managed to capture the essence of a classical piece by utilizing many different sounds and phases. It reminds me of a futuristic orchestra as it combines digital and traditional sounds that only compliment each other.
This song is also incredibly dynamic. In a matter of seconds the smooth and somber sounds of the intro transition into a more whimsical atmosphere. On an initial listen, there is no telling where the song will take you next. In that sense, the song reminds me of a modern painting.
Julian's ability to write meaningful song lyrics is also highlighted by this song. With a title like Human Sadness there is a challenge in portraying that emotion in an unconventional way. I think his decision to write about the emotion through different stories only helps to build up a sense of sadness. The nature of the lyrics are also very indirect, leaving them to be open-ended so that we may fill in the blanks as we see fit.
The band has also put out a video for Human Sadness. The song is performed live with different clips of different stories to accompany the piece. It is a perfect companion to the song as it is able to provide a visual for the very emotional piece.
