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Blackbird Blackbird: BeatCrave Fav

By Sasha Patpatia

Blackbird Blackbird1 SP082410 e1282670981617 Blackbird Blackbird: BeatCrave Fav

Blackbird Blackbird likes to take melodies that would be the highlight of any other band and drown it in reverb until they are barely audible. Why? Because there’s a lot more to listen to in their music than just the melody, and they know it. In today’s age of catchy pop throwaways, Blackbird Blackbird is a refreshing throwback to an era when bands understood music was about constructing a sound and not just a hook. Their surreal music brings to mind comparisons to The Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, and The Jesus & Mary Chain. But there’s more at work here than just a shoegaze band. Blackbird Blackbird has a talent for manipulating the elements of music to elicit different emotions in listeners.

“Pure” starts off with a melody that could be easily followed with a standard 4/4 drumbeat, bass on beat 1 and snare on beat 3. Instead of playing to our expectations, Mikey, the one and only member of Blackbird Blackbird, uses a complicated beat that plays against the natural rhythm of the melody; the effect is primal and exciting. In the bridge, the beat switches to the standard 4/4 beat, lulling the listeners into a dreamlike trance. “Hawaii” features a beautiful vocal melody that hinges on the edge of being interpretable. It’s buried under the music just enough so as not to be understood, but the lyrics don’t have to be understood for the music to be appreciated. Blackbird Blackbird’s music works on the subliminal level. You can’t quite make out what you’re listening to, but you like listening to it anyway. Check out Blackbird Blackbird in our BeatCrave Fav series below!