Tommy Down has us asking: Isn’t it all just a little ‘Superficial’, with his funky track.
A funky twist here, a chirpy twang there – this relaxed summer night soundtrack from soul and jazz man Tommy Down somehow has me pondering the politics of selfies, but surrounded by the sounds of a synthy speakeasy.
Cheeky bass slaps and smokey vocals hark back to the good old days of Nile Rodgers, giving us the essence of funk but with a slight flicker of a modern chill out track.
Rich staccato chords, carried by a spacey synth, form a dusky cloud of smoke for the cutting bass to shine through. Unpretentious and soothing, the laid back vocals of Down nestle their way into the room, as the synth steps back for a verse. In his velvety and lax vocal tone (borrowed from John Newman almost), Down takes a step back to look at the people taking selfies, off handedly commenting: “It’s all just so hollow.” Yet, in his next sore breath, confesses his desperation to be involved in the narcissism and be “tagged” in the pictures.
Skeletal drums wake-up a sleepy guitar that oh-so cleverly chimes in every so often with its own quirky little twang of melody, reminding us that it’s still summer so we should just relax.
Down’s track is a curious one. He’s asking if the world has plunged too far into the pools of self-importance and become lost in the deep end of social media, but the carefree artist doesn’t dwell too much on the realisation, layering the heavy question underneath a light air of basking synth chords and lounging guitars. The compelling dichotomy perfectly encapsulates the dismissal and yet obsession towards social media.
It comes as no surprise that the ‘Best Original Composition’ winner has crafted such a refined and sophisticated modern jazz fueled funk track. Given his roots as male vocalist for the Bristol University Jazz Orchestra, he clearly understands the beauty in the marrying of a modest guitar melody and simplistic vocal tones. Lined with subtle little vocal cracks and gravely notes, the man’s voice just exudes soul.
Overall, Down cleverly plays out the simple nostalgic beats of funk beneath a subtle lyrical depiction of the self obsessed generation. His mastery of songwriting and singing is on full display here, and he never misses an opportunity to include a pretty little bass twang or sharp chord where he can. The jazzy singer has created a great chill out track for a late night beach party, laced with a poignant message of the dangers of self-absorption.
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