Sean MacLeod, an artist from Scarriff, Ireland, is still a big name in modern music. Sean is getting ready to release his fifth solo album, “That’s When the Earth Becomes a Star.” He is already known for his work with the band Cisco and for working with giants like Paul Barrett of U2. His new song, “I Know Not,” is a great example of how he can make music that is both clever and very catchy.
“I Know Not” is a song that doesn’t fit into just one category. The song is based on the catchy sound of indie pop, but it also has sounds from other decades. The sweet, silky singing style of ’50s doo-wop and the famed “Wall of Sound” method are mixed with the loud, explosive beat of ’70s punk. This innovative mix makes the music sound new and fun to listen to, yet it’s more deeper than a typical pop tune. It is the sound of pop music that tries to do things differently.
One of the best things about the song is how it mixes old and new sounds. The rhythm part is familiar and reassuring, like vintage rock & roll. But MacLeod adds something special and subtle: he employs microtones. These are musical notes that are in between the notes we commonly hear in Western music. This gives the song a great feeling of minor tension, which makes it feel unstable and draws the listener in, making them pay close attention to every note.
I Know Not
The song’s sound is great, making it feel intimate and almost as if it was made by hand. Along with forceful percussion strikes, we hear basic, ringing guitars and soothing sounds in the background. All of these sections fit together flawlessly, making the catchy melodies shine out and the fascinating musical concepts give the song great depth. This balance makes the song sound fantastic the first time you hear it, but each time you listen to it, you learn something new.
Sean MacLeod’s voice is very important to the song’s feeling. His singing reveals that he has thought a lot about it and is open to being hurt. His voice is unsteady and a little uneven on purpose in the first parts of the song. It sounds like he’s singing and talking at the same time. This makes the person who is listening stop and pay attention. But this hard feeling makes the chorus a powerful moment, when the singing gets rich and lovely, like The Beach Boys. This change accurately shows what the song is about.
In its most basic form, “I Know Not” is about what it is to be human and not know what to do. The song is a metaphor for life. The elements of the song that are solid and reliable stand for the things we think we know for sure, like our employment, our relationships, and our set concepts. The odd, bending microtones show us when life changes and we realize that the things we believed were stable are continually shifting.
The last message of the song is really emotional and applies to everyone. MacLeod says that we can only discover true happiness and peace when we recognize that we will never have all the answers. Facing the unknown is worth it because of how great the chorus sounds. It is a strong message that being curious and brave enough to say “I don’t know” can make your life fuller and richer.
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