Quadeca - Scrapyard - FIRST LISTEN
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- Опубліковано 17 бер 2024
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Easier isnt meant to be a perfect message or relationship, its meant to real, contemplative, and confused
Yeah, i really got stuck on that song for a while cause of that, like listening to it knowing what I had done in the past only lead me and that person to pain, it actually helped me get passed being in that kind of relationship anymore. Because it’s not real love. Sometimes all it takes to get you out of that sort of cycle is just admitting that you’re in it, and the problem.
And then you can move on and be better.
My interpretation of Easier is that it's easier to be with the wrong person than it is to be lonely. I'd rather be with you, even though I'm not sure this is a good relationship, than be by myself. The serial monogamist's /co-dependent anthem.
I believe that is EXACTLY what he was going for. Part of him loves the girl but he realizes that he only loves her because being with her is better than being alone. I can relate to it a lot and it is one of my favorites on the album/mixtape
That’s how I’ve seen it too, something I’ve also resonated a lot with
I almost see it as the opposite, in that he does love her but that idea scares him, so he just says he likes her cause shes easy
Just incase u dont know Jon, this album’s actually a mixtape full of experiments coming off of IDMTHY. Its alot more raw, experimental and less crafted towards one sound.
His next album should be bringing back more of the storytelling found on IDMTHY, if thats more your thing.
From what i know, you are correct but it also has scrapped concepts for his upcoming album, Vanisher as well as IDMTHY
I think one comment I wanna make about the whole "blown out" thing is a tweet Quad made a bit before IDMTHY came out where he essentially said "Good mixing doesn't have to be clean". When you go back and listen to From Me To You, you realise that the reason that album took so long to come out was because he was trying to perfect the mix and make it as clean as possible. And it is, with a lot of traditionally good vocal performances as well on tracks like Swallowed The Key or even Back Up To Earth from the deluxe.
But since then, he realised that there's beauty in imperfection and, while it won't click with everyone, the tone and atmosphere that his more gazey songs creates is part of the reason so many people connect with it emotionally.
Back when FMTY came out, I wasn't big on tracks like Can't You See because the vocals weren't that present (it's even something I used to think about IGOR, which isn't even the case but I hadn't listened to a lot of music back then). But, when you listen to it more, I think you slowly process it more and I think a track like EVEN IF I TRIED can grow on people. I fully agree with Fantano about that track that it's a real standout on the album because of how singular/unique and hard to pin down it is.
Obviously, the problem with a sound that's simply supposed to wash over you is not everyone is going to connect with it, especially if you sit down and analyse/criticise it, but overall, I think Quad isn't trying to hide imperfections with the washed out sound, I think it's just the sound he wants to create because, quite frankly, very few people are doing it.
Apologies for the yap, I'm just a huge Quad fan and his music strongly influences mine and I like to articulate why I enjoy things.
Yap appreciated
tbf this makes a lot of sense. Even as a big fan of Quad's music. Theres very rarely a song that i listen to and first time go "Oh this is great". Its usually mid until you hear it a few times and then you realise how good it is. By it being "different" you kind of have to retune your ears a bit. Then you realise just how good the songs are.
Mixing it in the way he does is definitely intentional and as much of a challenge as mixing it super clean but I think he leans into it a little too much sometimes and could find a perfect mix (pun intended) between the two. Some of his best songs ever are just that. Born yesterday is arguably one of his best song ever and it is exactly that. But hey if it resonates with you that’s dope, personally I do like when the music has some breathing room
echoing this rly hard you put this so well
I think he understands this because he has listened to experimentally mixed music before, but he simply just doesn't enjoy it in this instance. He doesn't listen to much music akin to this in terms of sorta emo pop appeal.
He produces music like the impressionists painted. Incredibly complex and overwhelming up close, but when you zoom out the effect is magical.
I didn't like 'Even if i tried' until i listened to it within an context of listening to it at the gym. It feels like a build up of confidence and energy then a crash down to relax and appreciate your confidence and energy.
EXACTLY
it's interesting how the same things you criticised about this album were what made this album stand out to me. i feel like if he had "cleaned up" a lot of these songs they would have felt much less interesting and more dull
EDIT: also funny that the songs you thought were the standouts for you are the ones i skip the most often
this.
Glad Jon is giving his honest thoughts here in a sensitive, measured way. It is disappointing to see him not connect with an album I love on this first listen. But the ups and downs of sharing our tastes-the variability of congruence with one another-is what makes sharing music exciting and special.
Keep doing your thing, Jon.
It's interesting that Jon criticizes Quadeca for not being 'raw' enough, when, if I were to critique the album, I feel like sometimes he strays into being TOO raw, to the point of it almost being cringeworthy. Also, first Jon says the songs aren't stripped back enough, then, on a song like Guide Dog, which is literally just Quadeca's voice and a guitar, Jon immediately tells him to find a vocal coach and get better at singing.
I think Jon just doesn't connect with Quadeca, and even the 'perfect' version of this kind of music will still just bounce off of him. Not because Quadeca isn't raw enough, but because his immature, insecure emotional sentiments are TOO rawly presented, in a way which is no longer relevant to Jon. It is what it is
this.
OR he felt the opposite and thinks that some of the song structures on the album were interesting enough to where quadeca didn't really need to do be as experimental.
a lot of songs on this album i felt like the production was really good, but the vocals had this "watery" effect that diluted the emotion of the singing where i didn't really feel anything at parts that i felt like i should have. then in other songs where the vocals are a lot more clear, the the production explodes and kind of overlaps the vocals and i cant really "reach" to where quadeca is trying to go. then literally in one of the clearest/cleanest songs on the album (guard dog), quadeca seems to end the song in a unsatisfying place and cuts the song really short, despite for a majority of the album going for these big resolves that would have fit the song much better.
hes not a great singer tho bro
@@marcuslee698he doesnt have to be
i like how raw it is because yeah, you explained it perfectly. It dips into cringeworthy but to me that kinda heightened my enjoyment because its like i relate heavily to what hes saying in his songs and so sometimes i cringe with how raw it is like “how does he just say how i feel” and kinda how i would never say it out loud
"That teenage boy is still inside me" - Jon D 2024
I’m surprised you didn’t like ‘even if i tried’ Jon, that one connected so much with me instantly. It felt like the song kept growing and changing and I closed my eyes on the train while listening and went on a journey
This is cool and all but when's the Scrapyard reaction?
TRACKLIST WITH TIMESTAMPS !!
1. DUSTCUTTER 0:30
2. A LA CARTE 2:00
3. PRETTY PRIVILEGE 3:39
4. EASIER 5:41
5. EVEN IF I TRIED 6:59
6. WHAT'S IT TO HIM? 9:32
7. U DON'T KNOW ME LIKE THAT 11:36
8. I MAKE IT LOOK EFFORTLESS 12:57
9. WAY TOO MANY FRIENDS 15:09
10. GUESS WHO? 15:55
11. UNDER MY SKIN 16:41
12. BEING YOURSELF 18:05
13. U TRIED THAT THING WHERE UR HUMAN 19:07
14. GUIDE DOG 20:15
15. TEXAS BLUE 22:27
- Ending Thoughts - 23:44
SHOUT OUT TO QUADECA FOR SUCH A MESMERIZING PROJECT AND THANKS SO MUCH JON FOR THIS VIDEO !
thanks
Easier to me is saying that at times the loneliness gets so tough that you'd rather fall in love with someone you don't actually love just because you want to love and stop being alone.
Quad’s evolution is insaneee. Proud of Ben fr he deserves all the praise he gets!
Fr
My favourites are Dustcutter, A La Carte, What's it To Him, U Don't Know Me Like That, I Make It Look Effortless, Guess Who? & Way Too Many Friends. Love the project. Guess Who gets better and better every listen, it slaps.. love the production, distorted base and intensity
You say you want Quadeca’s production and vocal to be more clear so he’s more vulnerable for the whole album and then when he’s the most clear, raw and vulnerable he’s ever been on You Tried That Thing Where Ur Human, you say you don’t connect with it.
Easier def is a big backhanded compliment
idk i kind of interpret it as a flip on the common sentiment of only wanting someone because they are "easy" and framing that as something desirable. something about being "easy to love." idk its prob not the intention but its what i got.
It’s because he is not sure if he is in love or he just wants to be with her because it’s easier to be with someone rather than not. “Maybe I’m so in love, or it’s just the thought of you”
i think you nailed it, i interpret it as its easier for him to love them than it is to be alone.@@judekaraki1650
I totally agree with the idea of closing your eyes and just listening. Oftentimes, I find myself listening to Quadeca in the back of a car while shutting my eyes. His music is so layered and stimulating that sometimes, taking away your sense of sight can make the music even more beautiful.
21:09 if you're saying quadeca's singing voice is bad than this might be your worst criticism ever. quadeca can sing. listen to back up to earth or swallowed the key. the rawness and rough around the edges vibe of guide dog is deliberate and makes it way more emotional than if it was perfectly tuned.
I doubt that's what he said, I think its more of an encouragement to sing more, as what was there was amazing. A vocal coach is great always, and from being a rapper transitioning to singing some don't find it necessary to go to a vocal coach as rapping is seen more of an art style developed by oneself many times. So I think what Jon said was more in that direction of encouraging more singing.
In other words, if you see a dude that's good at painting you tell him to go to art school to build on that, not because he's bad.
QUAD DID
I'm glad you covered this, and I'm also glad you voiced how I've been feeling in regards to Quad's style. He has come on leaps and bounds when it comes to production and vocals, but I feel he uses a lot of his ability to work around any of the short-comings he does have rather than fully committing to standing out with his voice. If he finds a more healthy balance between his production and the clarity and confidence in his vision, Quad can step ahead from the progress he has already made.
i can see the point you're making, though what short comings do you say he's covering over?
@@deltaproto Maybe I could have worded it better, but I believe some of Quad's best vocal displays came up in FMTY (All a game, Back up to earth) in a cleaner mix - for IDMTHY, the breathy singing worked stylistically, but using the same style of mixing and vocal breaking can sometimes feel as though it doesn't quite hit the mark as opposed to him pushing himself vocally.
I still think both can work, but in most cases outside of stylistic or performance-focused songs, he could highlight his voice and singing better by simply giving himself more space in the mix and bringing himself right to the front of it.
I think you were getting at something with the "I just want to shut my eyes and drift off" comment.
Quadeca puts SO much emphasis on creating interesting texture on this album, and i think texture is one of those things that loses its effectiveness if you try and pick out details and focus on specific parts (at least on initial listen, theres a lot of details to appreciate later!). Allowing myself to just let the wave of the music splash over me actually helped me navigate and appreciate this album more!
11:00 This album lyrically reads as very insecure to me. Ben seems to be dealing with intimacy issues, self confidence, and a general lack of self worth throughout the album, and your interpretation about the production choices being like a layer of protection really adds to those overall themes.
Anyone else still broken from you tried that thing where ur human
I'm broken from Jon not liking it😔
saw it on the patreon 🤞 my current AOTY but i do understand your critiques
Surprised you didn’t like GUESS WHO, I think lyrically it’s a great flex. Hook is super catchy
Jon, I was surprised to hear your opinions on the record at first, but honestly it is a valid critique. He adds texture and depth at the expense of the clarity and catchiness of his songs. Ultimately it’s up to him to decide which path he wants to take, but I came out of the review genuinely agreeing with lots of your points. Ben is super ambitious and always wants to improve his art, either way I’m sure whatever is to come will be special! Much love
i like the way this was worded, it sacrifices clarity but as he tweeted “a great mix doesnt have to be clean” or something to that effect and I agree, Also it makes his songs less catchy I agree and they still get stuck in my head and I know every quadeca song by heart I think lol
@@irishmusicc Yeah for sure, I also love all of them, I just think his current style makes it more of a niche acquired taste, which stands in the way of his art being universally accepted as a masterpiece
@@gabrielmontanhole yeah thats the part that upsets me, I feel like the charm of his non conformity in music is a major reason I love it so much
By the time “it’s time…to give up…on being human” happens 😢 it hits me in the gut every time
Yeah - I can’t even imagine what he’s capable of if he just keeps putting in the work!! which he clearly works hard! It’s so exciting to watch him grow and experiment and play!
oh let's go common Jon W this album is insane
I appreciate so much how honest you are about how you feel about the music .
i've been waiting so long for this reaction. hope you're well jon
Don’t worry Jon. This is only a mixtape EP for him. His next album Vanisher will go back to his IDMTHY levels and maybe exceed that.
If there was ever a “AOTYcore” subgenre this would be the posterboy LP
frl💀
1. DUSTCUTTER 0:30
2. A LA CARTE 2:00
3. PRETTY PRIVILEGE 3:39
4. EASIER 5:41
5. EVEN IF I TRIED 6:59
6. WHAT'S IT TO HIM? 9:32
7. U DON'T KNOW ME LIKE THAT 11:36
8. I MAKE IT LOOK EFFORTLESS 12:57
9. WAY TOO MANY FRIENDS 15:09
10. GUESS WHO? 15:55
11. UNDER MY SKIN 16:41
12. BEING YOURSELF 18:05
13. U TRIED THAT THING WHERE UR HUMAN 19:07
14. GUIDE DOG 20:15
15. TEXAS BLUE 22:27
personally this album had alot that i liked and alot i was neutral on first listen, but over time grew to like each track here, *especially* went through that on even if i tried
couldnt word it better
I've been waiting for the reaction!!!
I feel like a lot of songs this project speak directly to quad’s generation with the muddiness and lack of clarity in our future. I’m not knowledgeable on the production side of things, but the writing in this music is complex and full of bitter/nostalgic moments.
The more I sit with these moments, the more I appreciate how they were delivered. Songs like uDKMLT, u tried that thing where ur human, easier, and Texas blue have really helped me come to terms with some inner conflict that’s hard to confront because it’s not black and white. And quad doesnt treat these conflicts like a clear cut issue, they’re complex and murky. That’s my take anyways, appreciate the reaction.
I completely understand what John is saying, and I do think that is a trap a lot of artists fall into, but, in my opinion, Quadeca doesn’t. He is really, really good at using timbre and atmosphere to give each song a unique emotion and identity. I don’t think he’s covering up faults or anything like that. When a song would work best clean, then I think he would do it clean. In that aspect, it would also be nice to see him become a more developed singer.
You don’t have to listen to the following at all obviously, but it worked for me when getting into more styles of music. Try to see what aspects of sound they are specifically using to communicate what they want to communicate. I used to listen to mostly classical music (by that I mean everything from Baroque to Modern) because I believed that it had the best melodic and harmonic writing. I didn’t really understand the appeal of pop or rap or most other modern genres because the vast majority of the music in them is just written worse and less interestingly. At that time, the only thing that I looked for in music was how well it communicated ideas through notes basically. Therefore, I held classical in very high regard because I thought it was the best at that, with some exceptions. Long story short, I found some bands that really opened my mind to the power of expression through timbre, something that is only possible to the extent that it is today because of the technology available that lets us manipulate sound in whichever way we want. Classical music couldn’t do that. It is much more restricted in that aspect, so right there I found something else to appreciate about a new style of music, a style that I believe Quadeca excels at. Another example is how you can appreciate rap for the intricacies it has in its lyrics and the way that it uses to that communicate certain ideas more effectively, while also sounding just plain cool. You can find a lot of things like this and it just helped me with connecting to modern music much better than before.
Not sure if you know but a good majority of these songs are workshopping for IDMTHY/Vanisher and also just leftovers from IDMTHY. His next project is gonna be a more full album as this is more just a fun bundle of tracks.
I love this album, its soo creative and innovative 🔥
fire project. I wish "I make it look effortless" was longer, that's my favourite track sonically
I'm glad I'm not the only person that thinks Black Country New Road when I hear the intro to Easier.
the first couple seconds always gives me terrible flashbacks to the place where he inserted the blade
Always enjoy your reactions! I tend to agree with you about the production being too blown out at times. I’m interested to see the direction he takes with his next project.
So far Scrapyard is my aoty for sure
I definitely like IDMTHY more but this project also has some great songs. I’m not super into the dramatic indie boy kinda songs but I know a lot of people are. So I definitely prefer the musical style of his last album but I am excited by his growth and ability to make so many styles of music. I do hope his next album sounds entirely different from either project, maybe even slightly less Lofi and muted. I think he sometimes overdoes it with the noise and chaos of the songs but I know he can make gorgeous shit. Some of my favorite songs of his are Fractions of infinity, Tell Me a Joke, Born Yesterday, Summit Pt. 1, Easier, Back up to earth, Maybe another day, don’t mind me, Way too many friends, if that shows anything about when I think he’s in his bag. And none of those songs are simple by any means but they aren’t so chaotic with the noise and subversive melodies. I like when his voice is more discernible, and when the music is less focused on obscuring itself, which is absolutely a conscious choice by him. As a producer myself, it takes an unbelievable amount of work and intention to produce in the way that he does, but I would love to see him produce a more cleanly and open project but ultimately he does whatever he wants and that’s very commendable. He’s shown that he can pull off so many styles but imo some of his best work is when the music is more open and easy to connect with. Music needs to have room to settle so when it feels like his songs are almost freestyling through key signatures every few bars it makes it hard to latch on to it musically. Music literally captures emotion, our brains interpret certain sounds as happy and sad so when those lines are blurred it makes it hard to know how to feel. That can be a cool thing to play with, but it can also be a quick way to derail a song if done in excess.
QUAD DID!!!! FINALLY JOHN THANK YOU!!!
YES JON!!!!!
I've been waiting so long
EVEN IF I TRIED is one of my favs. Such a weird collage of sounds but it’s just sweet on my ears for some reason. I really love the ending verse
I think you’re absolutely spot on that just a couple more of the songs could be cleaner - and it would really sparkle and stand out!!
even if i tried is one of my favs on this album, like it's so raw it's so addictive. repeating words like you're bout to go insane, with all the "noise" in the background giving this disturbing feeling. it's so raw, so emotional, it's amazing.
For me easier means life is easier with a particular person rather then the person is easy. Somebody who makes bad times a bit better. I have no idea what quad means but that's what it means to be. This album connected with me on a level not many albums ever have. Made me cry thinking about a particular person which no other album has done for me so I guess I can't say I don't love it but also it makes me really sad so it's a wierd type of love
YESSS JON
I’m surprised Jon was way more critical of this project because I loved it on first listen and assumed Jon would too but I respect the honesty
In all honesty I agree when you say you can see a next level for Quadeca and I think his next album might be just that. This mixtape feels a lot more comforting and modest when it comes to its sound.
I still love most of the tracks but they're not the magnum opus-es that born yesterday and fantasyworld are so in that regard I do think that his previous record, "i didn't mean to haunt you" is more ambitious. I see a lot of people having trouble getting used to the mixing and the messiness of his latest stuff and there is some merit to that.
I feel like a clearer sound wouldn't be able to convey the feelings right. This way it feels real. It feels like you're inside of a person's brain and there is clearly a message but it's fuzzy. Judging from the lyrics you already know this isn't the most confident project. But it's sincere and vulnerable, confused but perseverent and I like that. Life is messy sometimes,hell most times, but you can still apreciate it's beauty.
I undestand your gripes with his style though so yeah I just hope you enjoyed it and maybe it will grow on you if you give it one more try at some point. I loved the reaction
Would love to see you react to solo BH stuff that’s been releasing E.g Kevin abstracts new album , Jobas first single and Matt Champions album coming Friday. Could be BH Season 2
True! At first I was also like “damn I think I’d appreciate this if I was younger” - and then the more I listened to it….I ended up loving it anyway 😅😅
amazing mixtape
It's a masterpiece
You really put into words something I’ve been racking my head around about but haven’t really been able to express! It does certainly feel like Quadeca hides behind a lot of his production, maybe because early on in his career he got a lot of praise for it. But now when he has developed so much as an artist and learnt the skill, it’s time to learn that sometimes less is more. Will be looking forward to the next project as said!
I think it mostly because this was a scrapyard of songs as it’s called. Can’t wait for vanisher
interesting to see differences in perspectives because easier and guide dog nearly bring me to tears every time i hear them.
LETS GOOO
the message of Easier isn’t my favorite either, but i don’t think it’s supposed to be “beautiful” - the point is that he’s unsure if he’s truly in love or like you said, settling. it didn’t resonate with me but it’s relatable to others. my problem is that i didn’t feel that the specific track Easier sonically was in accordance with this lyrical idea, it sounded resigned instead of conflicted. overall it’s an AOTY for me tho because he does the lyrical/sonic interplay really well in the rest of it
One of my fav albums to have come out this year. Just in case you missed it it's a mixtape and not an album which is why it isn't that cohesive
Rare John L
hey Jon! love your reactions bro. On "Easier" the lyrics are, "I want you cuz you're easier, than nothing, babe"
music is subjective so im sure everyone will interpret this differently, and that could be totally different from how the artist himself meant it. But I interpret this as Quad saying he wants the love interest because the relationship is in fact hard.. it is easier than nothing and so he longs for the imperfect and challenging love that relationship brought, rather than an easier choice.
But idk im just a guy listening to music lol.
Pleasantly surprised by this album
little big planet mentioned
putting this under the context of a mixtape really helps the enjoyment of this project. These tracks are not supposed to flow into one another or tell a story but are instead sonic experiments from the previous album and the new album that didn't quite fit the vibe of those albums. A lot of the bold and over the top production can be explained by this because its supposed to be innovative and genre pushing
Jon I don't think you appreciate lo-fi music, it's the style and that's what makes the project unique. With him being clearer in the mix the mixtape would loose its unique ruff factor
Let’s go
QUAD DID WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I don’t think Quad is hiding his singing voice. His singing on FMTY in particular was clean and really solid imo. I think the distortion is a more conscious choice than Jon acknowledges here.
That said, I agree that Quad could take things to a new level if he really ironed out his vocal technique. It would help his live performances too
Quadeca has tweeted about how a "clear mix" isn't necessarily a good mix and the good things are in the dirt. So the not so clear vocal delivery is very much intentional and this dirt he is talking about. He does get clearer or rawer on tracks he rlly needs a human connect on such as fantasyworld on IDMTHY and u tried that thing where ur human on this mixtape.
The lyrics to Easier are "I want you cause youre easier than nothing babe". When I hear that I think that he wants someone thats complex, but maybe that's too much work for him. He contemplates whether he wants what he has or if he just likes the idea of the person he is with. The lyrics are meant to contradict because its the internal conflict in his mind of what he really wants
Step one. Jon on Quadeca
Step two. Jon on hivemind 👀
I think "easier" means that he wants someone cuz its easier that than being alone.
where’s eternal sunshine reaction ???
NOOO WAY HE REACTED
YES.
This album is a grower
QUAD DID🗣️🗣️🗣️
CRAZY FANS MEANS CRAZY MUSUC WE MOVE JONNY BOY
I love Jon’s attitude toward music, he’s obviously opinionated, but he’s so open-minded and willing to change. It’s not that he needs to change his mind, but the fact that he knows it’s a possibility is a thing that many people lack.
“That teenage boy is still inside me”-Jon Denton
Easier is talking about him being in a relationship where he isn't fully committed but he needs her to help keep him sane. He's not dating her because he wasn't to further his relationship, he is dating her because life would be easier with someone there. If that makes sense 😅
I read the comments and thought Jon would be shitting on the album but after watching the video he was vibing. Why are there so many people pressed in the comments about this review
quad did!
OMG
5:43 thought that too 😭😭😭
so when are you gonna react to scrapyard jon
Disappointed you didnt catch the Mane and Salah bar! This mixtape gets better with each listen :)
2:49 yooo nah Jon mad funny💀
I don't really have anything worth saying, but the monologue inspired me so i kind of feel like I need to. Really cool album, though!
will there not be an eternal sunshine reaction? 💔
You should do the song, “Caught on Camera “ by token
Some of these songs like Even If I Tried are a bit of an acquired taste. There is a lot going on sonically and it can be off putting at first, but it is even more satisfying when it clicks
Eternal Sunshine next !!