Everything and
Nothing
By
ResoNate
I was first introduced to NC based Soul Singer, videographer
and Hip Hop artist ResoNate back in 2020. It was via the Cut Beetlez, firstly
on the CBNG album with Nice Guys and then on the Overflow Pt 2 single alongside
A-F-R-O (who also features on this album). later that year he ran a competition
to send T-Shirts to those who shared a certain post and even though I was in
the UK he still sent one over and as a result of that I offered my services and
so here we are today.
ResoNate describes himself as an artist who is committed to
creating art for change. He is deeply introspective and focused on personal
growth, while looking outward. His lyrics are relatable and inspiring, and he
invites us to join him on a path of self-discovery and the pursuit of
purposeful living. Those few words really set your mind wondering what kind of
album and depth you are about to hear.
So, it’s time for you to join me and for us to immerse
ourselves in Everything and Nothing…
The album begins with the title track Everything and
Nothing, where organ and guitar notes guide us in before the beat hits,
accompanied by some mellow horns. There is also that modern edge to this with
the cymbals clicking in the background. There is a deeply retrospective vibe
here that see’s ResoNate looking back over life and his experiences, what it
has taught him, where he is now and what the future may hold as he seeks to be
the greatest expression of who he truly is. Piano and organ notes take us into In
The Mud before the piano sound continues alongside sparce drums and
cymbals. This one has a definitive feel of thoughtfulness, the kind of vibe you
get when you sit back and consider your options or direction. You really get
the impression here that this one is all about not giving up on your hopes and
dreams no matter how hard it might seem to keep moving forward on your path.
Giving up is easy, walking forward might be hard but, it is what makes who we
are and makes life its own reward. Piano and guitar are once again the opening
for Other Side, but the beat soon drops alongside the ticking cymbals,
giving this slightly heavier vibe which takes nothing away from that feeling we
are focusing on another aspect of the road in front of us. Here we find ResoNate
seemingly looking at the other side of life or perhaps the other side of his
own character? We all see things within us that we may not be happy with, and
it is these aspects that we contend with everyday as we constantly seek to be a
better person. It’s all about bringing the positive aspects to the forefront
and just being at piece with the other side…
Cruise Control sits at the midway point of the album
and presents a sound that seems at stark contrast to what has gone before with
xylophone and piano notes tweaking your nerves alongside the beat. Things
suddenly seem to become more rounded, almost like closing your eyes to the
visual stimulus and just feeling the sound. We spend a lot of our lives just
cruising though it, missing so much of what it has to offer and that is the
point here, stop cruising through your life and truly experience, feel, and
take control of your own life, that’s how you really live. Guitar provides the
main sound alongside the drums on Time Flies, this brings a far more soulful
edge to the sound. A-F-R-O joins ResoNate here for a track that really focuses
on the relationships we have in life and finding that one true love who
completes us. Someone who makes us understand that two people can be one and
individuals at the same time, no matter the situation you find yourselves in
and that is the truest of love. Feel Again mixes a chilled out beat with
a synth vibe that stretches your nerves a little, creating this feel that
brings your focus to those moments without clarity. We all experience those
times when we feel that we are just a moment from something big, standing on
the cusp of something we can’t quite see. These are defining moments that can
shape who we or our entire future and it’s how we view these moments and the
choices we make that are key and here A-F-R-O helps ResoNate to bring some
clarity to those moments. Moving into the final track of the album, Wouldn’t
Change That, we get a jazzy mix of horns and piano helping us float into
this final track. The beat drops, keeping that jazzy undertone and it really
has you wanting to move. The overall vibe is one of reflection and we find
ResoNate looking back key moments that have paved the way for him to get to
where he is now. The message here is that there is no desire to change any of
those defining moments because they have shaped and moulded him into who he is
and made him the creative force bringing you the music you are listening to
now. This is a message to us all, it’s not about changing what has been but,
more about learning from those moments and understanding how they can or have
already helped you…
Everything and Nothing has a vibe that mixes Hip Hop and
soul with a slightly more modern vibe. Now that sound is not going to be for
everyone, I get that and it has taken me a while to get used to this ticking
cymbal sound that you also get with the grime sound and while it might not be
to everyone’s taste, you do have to look at the whole picture here.
There is a lot to like about the album, which is written and
performed by ResoNate, except for A-F-R-O’s appearances of course and produced
by Yondo Beats. The sound and vibe that ResoNate and Yondo Beats create here is
one that does encapsulate that path of self-discovery and self-development as
does his impressive writing skills. Musically there is this deep mood that
binds the album together and keeps you focused on what he is saying. It really
mixes up elements of Hip Hop, soul, and those more modern vibes to bring
something that is highly listenable. Vocally ResoNate shows an impressive
display of mixing his soulful vocals alongside a more that capable rap style
which shows solid skills in switch up flows and styles to get his point across
with maximum effect. There is a lot of personal experience that is injected
into this one and it really aims to uplift and inspire the listener to be more
than you think you can be and to focus on being who you are truly meant to be
in this life. The only thing stopping you is yourself, the minute you realise
that nothing can hold you back. The appearances by A-F-R-O here fit so well
with the vibe of the album and just goes to show that there is little that this
guy can’t do.
Overall, what impressed me here was the depth and intense
nature of what ResoNate has produced. Giving us a modern twist on soulful, Hip
Hop, with words that are not just highly relatable by anyone who listens but,
can easily make you think a lot deeper if you choose to contemplate what is
being said here. It really hits on many levels and will appeal to a fairly wide
audience too.
Regardless of your musical tastes, this is an album worth
checking out as you might just find that it speaks to you more that you might
think.
Everything and Nothing is released on 1st January
2023.
Huge thanks to ResoNate for the T-Shirt and for sending the
album to me.
Time for me to be out,
See Ya.
Steve
LINKS
Here is the Linktree for the album and all things ResoNate:
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