Music Seen: Music Supervisor Hot Picks * Kele's "Rise"
Artist: Kele
Song: “Rise”
Why I Luv It: Bloc Party‘s lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kele Okereke has released (via Glassnote in the U.S.) arguably one of the strongest electro-rock-punk records of the year. It was recorded right here in Brooklyn, and it’s called The Boxer.
Kele's "The Boxer," a music supervisor's dream...
If you’re a fan of Bloc Party’s uniquely aggressive yet soulful rock-punk meets electronica sound than you’re going to absolutely love this album through and through. The whole album is solid from start to finish, but in my opinion, the standout tracks are “Walk Tall,” “Tenderoni,” and “Rise.”
The Boxer as a complete work is a music supervisor’s dream, and in my opinion — from start to finish — it may be better than any of Bloc Party’s albums to date. The production on The Boxer is absolutely stellar, the choruses are massive, motivating, and catchy, and the blend of electronica and rock is so seamless throughout that this album nearly defines a new genre in itself.
In this installment of Music Seen, we’ll be focusing on the song “Rise.” A dynamic arrangement, accompanied by thought-provoking lyrics, genius synth and drum programming and beautiful vocal performances and production make “Rise” an undeniable force and a serious contender for a major TV or film licensing deal.
Kele is performing tomorrow night, 9/8, at NYC’s Webster Hall, and I’ll be there. If it isn’t sold out yet, and you’re in the area, you’re crazy not to buy a ticket now and check out this show. Kele is gonna’ tear the roof off the sucka’… for real.
Scene I Can See it In: “Rise” by Kele is a perfect fit for a story centered around an average person who has vastly above-average skills, strength, or talent that has gone untapped, unrecognized, or undiscovered for much of their life. At a crucial point in this person’s life when crisis has reached its absolute boiling point, our character somehow comes to the realization that he or she has super powers, and it’s time to tap into them.
Catch Kele at Webster Hall on 9/8/10.
As Kele soulfully and suggestively sing/chants “You are stronger than you think,” ass-kicking, over-driven snyths complimented by a kick drum pulse build in intensity. (Complete lyrics are listed at the end of this article.) Eventually, the female singer in the band comes in as the build continues and she sing-chants “I’m taking over” until an absolute explosion of energy in synth programming happens in one of my favorite-ever techno/house breakdowns.
The lead-up / build to this explosion would sit very well under a series of shots of our main character slowly but surely discovering his or her untapped talents. When the exploding breakdown section of the song comes at 3:25, he or she has fully accepted their super hero abilities and has now gained the confidence to display them to the world and use them for good purpose.
An alternative usage for this song could be within a story about an underprivileged kid in a poor neighborhood who decides he or she will take it upon themselves to “Rise” above the strife and chaos of everyday reality and motivate those around him or her to be better, stronger, and more focused than ever on the goal of overcoming the bad and building on all that is good.
It’s Kele folks, and he’s playing in the Big Apple Wednesday (9/8) at Webster Hall. Go see and hear for yourself how ridiculously good this band is. Enjoy the quality, and let me know if you agree or disagree with my assessment by posting your comments below! Until next time…
Complete Lyrics:
Brothers sisters come with me
(into the light) x2
Brothers sisters can’t you see
(into the light) x2
Don’t lose sight of what you saw
You know you can better than you were before
Brothers sisters can’t you see
That you are stronger than you think
You are stronger than you think x2
You are strong
Raise those arms that once were broken
and put down the grief
Did you think your time was gone
(into the light) x2
Did you think your hard work rode
(into the light) x2
Don’t lose sight of what you saw
You know you can better than you were before
Brothers sisters can’t you see
That you are stronger than you feel
You are stronger than you feel x2
You are strong
Raise those arms that once were broken
and put down the greed
(I’m taking over) x13
But you are stronger than you think
You are stronger than you think x2
You are strong
Raise those arms that once were broken
and put down the green
(“Rise” in background over some choruses)
Dave Hnatiuk of Autonatic Entertainment is a Music Supervisor / Sound Designer for MTV On-Air Promotions, NYC. Visit him at Autonatic Entertainment, Music Supervision Central or The Song Hunters. To be considered for a “Music Seen,” submit your track or link to Hnatiuk at submissions@sonicscoop.com.