By Odeisel

It’s that time again folks.  Another Friday and another track from Kanye and the crew. This one is from the soundtrack of Kanye’s glamour project Runaway, is entitled “Don’t Look Down” featuring Mos Def, Lupe, Ye and Big Sean. It’s another non-conventional entry in the books with inventive if overwrought production.

The beat is punctuated by a piano key stroke that runs constant throughout the production, forming the center of the maelstrom around which drums and distortion, electric guitars and synthesizers swirl is a motley mix of melody. Drummer boy military-styled drums appear in and out of the composition

Mos Def doesn’t rap on this which is disappointing. He’s been singing on track sway before 3000 so you can’t begrudge him, but you want to see what he could have done over this music. The track opens with Lupe Fiasco, minus the heightened energy that he’s been packing the last month or so. His lack of charisma is a hindrance on a track with this much motion and noise and his performance almost gets drowned out, which is a shame. His narrative chronicles a woman being burned at the stake.

Kanye’s verse sounds like he’s rapping on a CB radio, and the added distortion in his voice is annoying. He’s done it before and it’s no longer a novelty, particularly in the confines of a slow moving song. He, like Lupe speak of a sacrificial love and about letting someone go because you don’t think you are good enough for them, even as the love is growing in intensity. It’s nice to not have to hear about fashion and his own ego but the distortion and the distorted guitars are too much.

Big Sean’s verse is actually the bright spot of the song, adding a bit of normalcy to the verse after an extended guitar dirve distortion break. He sounds like a huskier more masculine Drake and his high paced, assertive flow relaxes to a slower-paced gait that works with the beat. He’s got a couple clever lines in there like “I ask myself why (y) sometimes like a fucking vowel.” He’s also got five models giving him dead together at the same time looking like a huddle. Just the right kind of ignorance to take the edge off the somber nature of this song.

“Don’t Look Down” is creative in production and that risk taking should always be applauded. However as a song it lacks the punch of some of the other songs in this G.O.O.D Friday promotion.  Let us know what you think. Just “Don’t Look Down.”

Kanye West Feat. Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Sean

Kanye West Feat. Mos Def Lupe Fiasco and Big Sean-Don’t Look Down

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