JCRACKER is a new musician from Follansbee who is bringing a really authentic and honest sound to music. “THE DARKNESS,” his latest song, is based on his personal life and feelings. It is based on how deeply he felt about his first love and how long it took him to figure out who he truly is. Even though he employs current computer technologies to assist him produce the music and sing, the song is all his own. This is a unique piece of art that looks at the bad elements of life and finds a way to illustrate that even in the hard times, there is beauty.
The first sound you hear in this song is a really deep, hefty bass sound that stays there the whole time. This deep sound feels like a floor that never moves, which makes us feel safe and held even while everything else is crazy. It doesn’t strive to be a quick or joyful tune like the ones you hear on the radio. It has a constant beat that sounds like a machine and just keeps going. This beat is like how time flows in our lives; it never stops, and it keeps us moving forward even when we’re scared about what’s coming next.
The background is dark and thick, while JCRACKER inserts little, brilliant notes that sound like transparent glass. These soft sounds are like little lights that come on when we can’t see anything in the fog. They are the times in our life journeys when we unexpectedly learn something new. He also employs quiet like it’s an instrument. He tells us that being quiet is equally as powerful as shouting out loud by leaving empty spaces in the music. It reminds us that we need to pause and be quiet so we can really hear what our hearts are trying to tell us.
When things are lonely or confusing, the most important thing to learn from “THE DARKNESS” is how to merely “be.” We usually assume that being in the dark is scary or terrible, but this song argues it may be a safe place to hide and grow. It tells us not to run away from the “shadow” portions of ourselves, which are the parts we are embarrassed of or want to hide. The music doesn’t want us to correct or change everything right now. Instead, it wants us to remain still and understand that we are already strong enough to handle the stillness.
This is a lot like what happens when the electricity goes out in your house. You might trip at first since you can’t see where you’re going. But after a while, your eyes get used to the low light and you can discern the room’s shapes. JCRACKER wants us to know that the “dark” times don’t affect who we are. We are strong and valuable no matter what. We don’t need to see the complete map to know that we are on firm footing right now. Things that worry us are often just places in our lives that we haven’t spent enough time in yet.
“The Darkness” is a strong sign that being honest about our grief can help us. It shows us that the harsh experiences we have been through make us who we are. The song is like a blueprint for people who feel like they are going through a tough time. It shows that even when things are still and dark, there remains a deep and lasting truth to be uncovered. JCRACKER ultimately teaches us not to be afraid of the dark, because it is just a part of the light that makes us entire.
For more, follow JCRACKER on Soundcloud, player.sonivamusic.com