Closing out our second day of Sound Of coverage with some pleasant motivation…
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Ryo Miyauchi: Pa Salieu dedicates his time mostly warning listeners to not let down their guard even if the coast seems clear. It seems like a sobering reminder over a production tailor-made to accompany a song of denouement with the relieved music going on like it’s finally free of the weight saddled on its shoulders. That said, the resolute beat flattens some of the urgency of his message, wrapping it instead as a moral to take away from a happily-ever-after ending. “Energy” wants to not let you forget the world is against you, though it should sound more antagonistic as its subject to make that more clear.
[6]
John Seroff: Based on this song, “Betty” and a handful of other first-listen tracks from his impressive debut Send Them to Coventry, Pa Salieu’s energy is original, curious, lean, warm, very real. His rapping is fluent and deeply assured; the ingenuity and versatility on the production here makes me think of Peter Gabriel. Of the ten artists on BBC’s shortlist, Salieu strikes me as having the highest ceiling and the only one I plan on actively keeping an eye out for this year.
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Thomas Inskeep: The track is both haunting and smartly clattering, Pa Salieu is a solid rapper, “protect your energy” is a smart line (and idea), and Mahalia always sounds good. This won’t necessarily live with me for a long time, but I like it when it’s on.
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Joshua Minsoo Kim: The clattering production is a delight: the way it flutters constantly matches the lyrics, projecting a subtle but persistent optimism, equal parts restless and light. The “protect your energy” mantra wouldn’t work without it.
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Alfred Soto: Does Pa Salieu want to protect his energy or keep himself from getting involved with his own message?
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Samson Savill de Jong: A really good beat wasted on a really poor rapper. The vibe of the production is perfect, and I liked Mahalia’s contribution mostly, but the lyricism is beyond basic. Pa’s flow is fine, and he’s made a couple of half hearted attempts to make this song about something, though it somewhat inevitably falls back into generic fuck-the-haters track 212,492,102. (Incidentally, what are the haters jealous of here, Pa’s mediocre rapping ability and one hit wonder success?) He’s struggling to rhyme a single syllable at the end of line, nevermind doing something complex or interesting, until he eventually gives up and just rhymes spirit with itself, and then with nothing at all. UK rap can be so much better than this.
[3]
Katherine St Asaph: The floaty backing is the actually inspirational arrangement that “Love is a Compass” wants to be. Unfortunately, as the song runs, it tries to be inspirational, harder and harder. They may protect their energy, but they certainly don’t sustain it.
[5]
Nortey Dowuona: Wilting vocal loops, silt synths and slinking bass spin under the hopping drums as Pa’s skinny keening flow and lilting croon leaps in the whirl and rides it gleefully, and Mahalia gently raises the spinning morass, freeing Pa. They spin excitedly around the morass as a rising chorus follows them as they skid across the sky, eyes bright.
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Scott Mildenhall: After giving Japan’s “Ghosts” the reimagining it was long overdue, “Energy” is a logical progression. Motivational while solemn, its enervated call to arms chimes with the times. The mood is built, builds and is built on: both meditative and in motion.
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Rachel Saywitz: “Energy” is a cool, calm breeze of a song, fitting aptly with its title and lyrical themes. “Why you keep wastin’ your energy?” Pa Salieu wonders out loud over hand drums, a reference to his birthplace in Gambia. He and Mahalia — who comes in near the end to push the song to a satisfying climax — suggest that our potential should be allowed to simmer, our energy allowed to conserve. A fitting message as we head into the new year, unclear of what it will bring but quietly optimistic that we’ll be able to let at least some energy out into our lives.
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