The DEAD Wait
By
MUZ
The Dead Wait is the album from MUZ (aka MZA, Mury P,
Muzpopz & Mury Poppinz) who is no stranger to the game. The Wakefiled emcee is
one half of No Pretence and a former member of Don’t Talk To Strangers among
others. Along the way he has worked alongside the likes of Junior Disprol,
Prince Po, Cage and Brutal Artistry to name but a few. After all this and a five-year
break to become a father, he is back and ready to continue his musical evolution.
With a title like The DEAD Wait could it be that this album
is all about the living dead? Well. The easiest way for me to answer that
question is to take you on a journey through the album from top to bottom and
give you my thoughts. So, let’s go…
The album kicks off with Erasure which mixes a nice
head nod beat with a mariachi guitar vibe. You get the feeling that this track
is like the narrative of a man sitting looking out at the world at what is
happening around him. At the same time, he is wrestling with own internal
struggles, especially with the knowledge of now being a father and how that
relates to everything. The extended instrumental second half to this track is
more relaxed and brings a reflective vibe which gives you the time to
contemplate what he might be thinking but, it also allows you muse on your own
situation in the grand scheme of things. The mood moves from one of contemplation
to one that is more light-hearted created by the sparse drums and piano of Spit
Blood. That musical vibe is almost a juxtaposition to the vocals, which
appears to see MUZ taking on the zombie horde during the zombie apocalypse.
However, this could also be a metaphor that sees MUZ seeking to awaken those
who choose to blindly accept everything that is told to them by governments and
so on, never questioning anything but, becoming zombie sheeple. So, in one
instance you are taking out a zombie with a headshot but, when you flip it, you
are awakening people with knowledge and truth through the medium of music and
not with a bullet. Bells and a winding sound appear to be gearing us up for
something, that something is Deep Time with a melodic beat mixed with
bells, electronic vibes and vocal samples create a very mind-bending feel. This
one seems to speak on the constraints of living within the 3D world. So many
appear to be closed to the truth that they are almost dead to real reality that
we live in. We all have to choose whether to be awake to the true reality and
if we do choose to awaken then we have a further choice on which journey we
take to be awake…
Next we drift into an eastern flavoured vibe of Bye Bye
Kansas Pt 1 that has sparse drums and violin notes floating through it.
There is also a darkness to this as appears to take place in a troubled mind,
one that seeks to find solace as it navigates through a world ruled by fear. As
he searches for the way he knows is there, it becomes hard to walk the true
path as it becomes harder and harder to understand what is real and what is
not? The undead themselves introduce us to the albums title track, The DEAD
Wait. The beat is head nod and the mixture of synth sounds lift this to an
almost light-heated feel as the human zombies once again take centre stage as a
reflection of how most of society are looked upon as being. Those whom govern
or control our countries and, to a point, our lives wish us only to remain
subservient in a zomboid state where we do exactly what they want. The truth is
that the dead do wait, wait to become awakened to the truth around them. The next
track is a short skit, Addy Paddy R.I.P, which is in the form of comedic
recording that features the nephew of MUZ and who the next track is dedicated
too. A Cruel Eulogy has a relaxed beat with synth sounds and vocal
samples which all blend to form a vibe that, rather strangely, carries you
along. MUZ’s nephew Adam sadly took his own life and in dedicating this track
to him MUZ takes the place of the loved who has crossed over. It is not easy to
put yourself in this position and try and help people understand the struggles
of that person in this fucked up world. That person fights every day, behind
the mask of a smile, with demons we will never know. One day they reach that
most overwhelming choice and choose a path that those of us left behind may
never know, in making that choice they have committed no sin but, show a
bravery unlike any other.
Bye Bye Kansas Pt 2 has the same musical vibe as Pt 1
as the journey of the lost soul continues. Even the intervention of external
forces does not help and only serves to make his experience a more tortured
one. Lies and false truths, fear and Negative aspects cause a catch 22
situation where the only outcome he can see is a bleak one. As you are
wondering where you go from here the drums and xylophone notes whisk you off to
a new view of earth on Five (6 4) 3. As the plant spins and floats
through the cosmos, orbiting the sun, this new view asks if it could be that us
minute humans who inhabit the planet are simply slaves? Are we all controlled
in so way to help maintain someone else’s view of a status quo? We go about our
lives occasionally looking toward the heavens and seeing all those stars
burning bright But, we forget about our own true light that burns deep inside
of us. All we need to do is to take a step away from the external fear and
control, just close your eyes and focus, then remember who you truly are and
the light inside you.
Ego Death (The After Party) begins with an acappella
intro before a pounding beat drops, hitting like blows from a rubber
sledgehammer that constantly bounce off you mind. Here we take a mind-expanding
trip with someone who has circumvented their ego self by taking a concoction of
drugs and far too many. This desire to expand the mind has worked in one way
but, ultimately has led to them expanding their consciousness beyond the need
for a physical body. A more modern type of vibe comes through on The
Psychopathy Prophecy. The vibe is a bit darker and takes us on a deeper
look at current pandemic, lockdown life, social distancing, and the touchy
subject of those vaccines. What could it all mean as we walk forward into an
uncertain future? Yes, this is a very dystopian view of could be in the future
as subjects like nanotech are brought to bear. Could it really be that the
future for us, our children and grandchildren will be one that is far bleaker
and more controlled? I guess that is up to us…
The album ends with a bonus track Iron Sky, a truly
funked up vibe full of bass, guitars, and drums. There is a deep but laid-back
vibe here that gives you a feel of looking back at life, the struggles we have
had and hurdles we have overcome along the way. There is also that ultimate
view of what could truly be for us all as we continue on our life’s journey. We
are in control of our futures, those silver linings and the light at the end of
the tunnel, it can all be ours if we desire it enough, rise up and create our
own personal reality…
You can probably guess that from what you have just read,
that The DEAD Wait is a deep and sometimes dark look at what is happening in
life around us every day. There is this unapologetic and no-nonsense approach
to telling you how it is and focusing on subjects, like suicide, that so many
consider to be an elephant in the room. MUZ handles everything extremely well,
describing everything in a way that is both enjoyable and thought provoking.
In the run up to the album launch MUZ has released some
videos that help you to understand the story behind each track. Please bear in
mind that I made my note before those were released and so what you read here
is purely my own take and instinct from listening to the album.
I found some of these tracks to be quite touching in a way.
Personal experience really comes into play when listening to an album that
touches on such raw subjects. MUZ’s lyrical wordplay and flow technique shows a
great adaptability with complexity and knowledge. He often draws you into the
world he is creating on each track allowing you to see his point of view but,
also giving you enough room bring in your own personal experiences. You might
find that some tracks take you a few listens to really get the point but,
that’s not a bad thing as it displays the longevity this album is likely to
have, because you won’t forget it in a hurry.
Production, all by MUZ, here is all totally on point and in
a way the elevates the whole thing, twisting and bending your interpretation of
reality but, at the same time, holding your focus on the points that really
matter and are of true importance. There are moments of grounding and others of
true emotion that you can feel to your core, all enhanced by the musical
content.
That personal aspect that comes through on some tracks
really does touch you on many levels and all in all the album merges into this
deep narrative on life through the eyes of MUZ. At times it does feel like
you’re on a shamanic trip courtesy of a good helping of peyote but, in the end
you come out on a positive note knowing that you can create that brighter
future.
Yeah, some of this is profound and I highly advise you to
grab this one and take your own trip alongside MUZ.
The limited two-week digital release begins today, 1st
October, with full physical release to follow in the near future.
On that note, I give huge thanks to MUZ for sending this
over,
I’m out,
Peace,
Steve
LINKS
Get the album on Bandcamp Here:
https://murypoppinz.bandcamp.com/
Check MUZ on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/muz_tha_don_popz/
Check MUZ on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/BadLOOKTV
