Under His Eye /
Quid Game
Plus Bonus
review of Swords Out
By
MUZ
My introduction to MUZ was back in October 2021 when I
reviewed The Dead Wait. I was impressed with all aspects of that album and so,
as 2022 kicked off it was a no brainer to add his new single to what was a
short list at the time.
With the Wakefield emcee delivering such a deep look at life
and society on the album, I was intrigued to see what Under His Eye and Quid
Game had to say. So, lets just get straight into it…
Under His Eye hits with an almost deep dark
atmosphere that is created by pounding drums, sonic sounds, bells and nerve
shredding cuts. The bells act like some kind of death knell which is key to
tracks atmospheric vibe. MUZ gives us a verbal commentary that is akin to a
more modern version of 1984 or even the Handmaids Tale but, this story is not a
work of fiction. He takes a look at what is happening in the world around him,
speaking unflinchingly on aspects of the shadowy nature of the powers that be.
Here there is nowhere for the truth to hide, for there are times when the truth
can be as dark and disturbing as any fictional story. In fact, if you look at
the world around you and overlay those fictional narratives such as 1984 or The
Handmaids Tale, there are plenty of situations that closely match our current
society. Now Under His Eye might come for the mind MUZ but, is his
frightening view of life much different to any of us? Something to ponder right
here…
Quid Game begins with this emotive keyboard that is
the basis of the track and once the sparse drums and cymbals drop in, it
creates the kind of sound that crawls into the deepest parts of you very being.
That whole vibe suggests to you that what’s about to be said will have an
equally deep quality and MUZ does not disappoint. The subject here seems to be
focused on all those who chose to close their eyes to the truth of what happens
around them. So many believe, without question, the words of the media, spin
doctors and those in a position of power. They do not see what is right or what
is wrong, even when the facts simply don’t add up, simply accepting the
narrative as the only truth with closed minds. It’s all about the money, not
the greater good of population, we are just expendable workers helping the rich
get richer. There is a solution, we can change this by being united and
standing up as one, asking the tough questions and being the tide of change.
The track samples music from and is based around the infamous TV Series, Squid
Game, currently streaming on Netflix.
Once again MUZ uses his wordplay skills to create, on the
face of it, these bleak visions of a world spiralling ever downwards and he
does have this uncanny knack of being able to take a look at what’s going on
around him and then to paint and audible picture that reflects so much of what
so many know to be true but, are afraid to accept. The world is not always a
beautiful place and there are times we need to see thew hard truth, because
once we see that truth, we can also see that beyond the negativity and the
apparent darkness, there is a brightness, there is a better day. We may well
have to work hard and fight for those brighter days but, we can do it and the
key is that one simple word, We. Together anything is possible.
As much as I like music that entertains and makes me feel
good, I also like the kind of music that makes me sit up and take notice, that
makes me work and read between the lines to see what’s beyond the surface and I
have to commend MUZ here as his vocals always make me do that. Not to mention
the production which always creates just the right sound scape as the backdrop
for those vocals. This is deep intelligent Hip Hop for those looking for a bit
of a challenge. So, I challenge you to take a listen and formulate your own
thoughts…
As a bonus here I am going to include a review of another
single from MUZ that is likely, at the time of writing, to see a release prior
to Under His Eye and Quid Game. That track is Swords Out which sees MUZ,
Eskar, Kemetstry, Watson G and Precinct Phantom joining forces. Their musical
background is a mixture of oriental vibes and space drums that really give this
one an ominous sound, like you are being stalked on all side by an invisible
foe. That invisible foe are the five emcees you have just been introduced to,
each of whom bring their own style, their own blade. One after the other they
now strike from the darkness, their individual rhyming skills slicing deep into
your awareness. With no way of knowing which way the strikes may come from, you
slowly sink to your knees under the weight of the verbal assault, you wonder if
there is a point to all of this or if it is just for fun but, as the lyrical
finally stops you open your eyes to see those five emcees stood over you,
blades pointed at you head, and just you wonder what’s next? It’s all over and
you are allowed walk away…
This raw and almost brutal posse style track uses Samurai
imagery to grab your attention. The kinda of this used by so many artists over
the years, especially the Wu-Tang Clan. The respect and skill commanded by the
samurai made them a formidable foe and that style is reflected here by five
emcees who use their own rap styles to mimic the fighting style of the samurai
warriors. Each lays down bar after bar of expert flows and knowledgeable
wordplay that leaves you in no doubt that these guys can take any sentence and
turn it into a lethal weapon to expertly carve up your fragile awareness.
So, overall, we have three tracks here that display the
skill of MUZ on both production and as an emcee. It really goes to prove that
MUZ is continuing to show just what a force he is within the UK Hip Hop scene,
he is also a top bloke too, proving not only that Hip Hop is alive and well in
the UK but, also that the UK scene continues to grow in strength and quality.
Swords Out is available Now with Under His Eye and Quid Game
to be available in the not-too-distant future, so keep your eyes peeled for
these.
On that note,
I’m Out,
Steve
LINKS
Don't forget to search for MUZ on all good streaming platforms too.
Get Swords Out from MUZ on Bandcamp Here:
https://murypoppinz.bandcamp.com/track/swords-out-ft-eskar-kemetstry-watson-g-precinct-phantom
SWORDS OUT
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