There is something truly refreshing in the way Belgian trio, Baby and the Beats have created with The Beat; a song that is filled with the type of energised feeling that its title suggests. This is not a rhythmic piece of music, it is rhythm, it transfers me into the millions of natural and biological patterns that dictate our lives into four minutes of throbbing rock.
The first thing that immediately catches attention is the cinematic scope of the song. Starting with the orchestral ambitions of its first few opening notes, the track runs steadily with the help of guitar work that is both technical and rough-hewn emotional. The phrases that Stefano takes over are magic-knife cuts, whilst the riffs at the bottom are distorted to give a push. The recording is as smooth as possible without softening the fundamental point – the sound of low-end synths has formed tense, atmospheric corners whilst high-end guitar sounds have provided the needed grit and contrast.
The two-vocal strategy is especially successful. The voices of Patrick and Cassandra are intertwined with strong push-and-pull dynamics, both contributing different character to it – his guitar-backed voice and her powerful, melodic voice. They do not overwhelm the instrumentation and on the contrary, it leaves room to a centre guitar solo which is the emotional centre of the track and it focuses on the clarity of the melodies and the perfect timing.
The only thing that makes The Beat better than the usual fare in metal is its conceptual smartness. Linking the power of heavy music with something universal, the rhythms which control nature and biology, and human life, Baby and the Beats have come up with something instinct and at the same time, something which is conceptually developed. It is crude and yet witty, it is bodily and yet functional.
This is music to be enjoyed together, music that is created to get the audience involved and generate hype. Being the second single to their next EP, The Beat is a sign of a band that is at their stride, mature, and with authenticity. It leaves you wanting more.
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