Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
A whispering crackle seeps through the darkness and slowly triggers a threatening sonic explosion in the first few seconds of Paris King’s “Jealousy,” the latest single and music video from the UK-based singer. A pulsating drum beat nudges us into the flames being ignited by King’s vocal, and before we have a chance to realize just what is unfolding around us we become entrapped in the rolling rhythms that are pulling us asunder. The bass is bulky and unwilling to comply with the crunchy but consistent grooves; instead of supporting the foundation of the percussion, it’s straight up driving the energy of the track.
Paris King floats around us in the mix, edging between the thumping grooves and narrowly discharging an electrifying melody that keeps us clinging on to her words for dear life. Her verses are surreal and somewhat distant in comparison to the in-your-face nature of the instruments, but the limelight never drifts from her intimidating control. An ominous synth growls and spits fire around the drums as we inch closer and closer toward the chorus, and the mix follows suit; each element in the track grows larger than life and suddenly we feel as though we’re in the presence of giants instead of ordinary humans playing earthly instruments.
We’re told of quite intoxicating affirmations from behind the microphone in this performance, and the contrast in the lyrical themes is all the more emphasized by the texture of the music itself. There’s a constant sense of urgency that joins us when King starts to sing and follows us well after the song has finished.
The structure is formless to a certain degree, allowing for the climax to be long and drawn out, creating more tension than we know what to do with and leaving an impression that few listeners will soon forget. When coupled with this dynamic and bass-heavy mix, “Jealousy” becomes so much more than your standard pop song; it pushes the boundaries of its genre’s limitations.
The chorus whips around at us with a thrash-inspired rhythm that doesn’t go completely off the rails but hints at the possibility of an extended jam when played live. By design, this is much more slender and fluidly arranged than most alternative pop tracks that I’ve heard this year, but it doesn’t give up any of its stinging tones to create expanded accessibility. King’s vocal track isn’t over-processed or bluntly mixed as would be more common in reggaeton or even a more mainstream blend of club music, and there’s a touch of industrial artificiality, though it never extends to the substance of the song itself.
Burly beats and cutthroat basslines might be the two key ingredients in making a smart pop song in 2023, but Paris King’s “Jealousy” doesn’t just serve up the makings of a hard-hitting single; it presents us with a much more exciting blend of magic that isn’t restricted by the works of her predecessors. Like the rest of her output, this single has the stylishness of a modern club song and the primordial strength of a classic pop monstrosity, but it never indulges in one side of its personality over another. To me, it’s an instant treasure.
Bradley Wickham
