Though Death Metal was released over a year ago, the extended play has notable importance – both in the underground scene as well as in MISOGI’s own evolution as an artist. Known for his chill trap instrumentals and impressive production credits, the EP came as a bit of a surprise when released in its entirety. Absent throughout the EP is the familiar/usual emphasis on trap or hip hop beats featuring prolific vocalists and producers. Instead, MISOGI blended post-punk, new wave, and emo to create a complex album with the richness of a full band puppeteered by the hands of a few producers and features.
Death Metal starts off with the soft, somnolent introduction “Velvet Skin.” The song was co-written by teddybear and features the backing vocals of Little Shadows (of the duo Olivia). Though the first song on the album, “Velvet Skin” is a self-reflective admission that foretells the themes of songs to come. Little Shadows’ vocals also add warmth to the already soft, slow, and sleepy instrumental cadence, “…all the feelings had to shelve it, I’m so selfish. All the memories just forget it, I can’t admit it. All my mistakes I can’t edit, feel so jealous.” MISOGI seems to reach for closure, ending the song:
“For you, for you. For all the things I can’t undo. Be like you, be so blue.”
“Haute Couture” completely changes in mood and tempo. Its post-punk and new wave vibrations are a seemingly fitting setup for a Matt Healy feature. Little Shadows returns with vocals along with Jxsh, bolstering catchier 80’s elements in the song. Despite the Haute Couture’s upbeat energy, the lyrics (co-written with teddybear) paint the picture of the pain of being lead on through mixed signals or one-sided relationships and the chorus firmly emphasises the frustration of feeling stuck in unreciprocated love.
“This is what you wanted isn’t it? And I’m back again, feel used again. Alone again, but you’re my only friend.”
The vanguard track “Bite Gently” continues in an upbeat fashion with less bitterness and more boldness. MISOGI weaves his frustration and loneliness through his lyrics, contrasting the sunny, worry free melody of the song. The song interpolates lyrics from Prince’s “Automatic” in a defiant tone:
“But trust me, I have fight left for whoever comes next. And she’ll ask why there’s TV on when we’re alone here.”
Nessly’s feature on “Violent Candy” is the melodically idiosyncratic edge that carries the track. Dreamy synths, Nessly’s optimistic lyrics, and playful guitar solo in the latter half of the song is the perfect recipe for a classic catchy song. However, do not let the deceptive tone fool you, as MISOGI also sheds light on loneliness in unstable relationships:
“You gave me just enough to put me back on the run. To put me back on the outside. Back where you want, probably doing just what you thought.”
Lyrics from Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re Going Down” are broken up and rearranged throughout Violet Candy as well.
A post-punk guitar melody and and 80s-inspired drum loop roll us into “Threnody To A Car Crash Hearts“, which sounds like a direct sequel to “Haute Couture.” Again, MISOGI appears to call it quits while also reminiscing about better times, before love lost:
“I give up, I surrender. I’m still stuck in that September. I could draw the way you looked…but what you said, I can’t remember.”
The expressed inner turmoil, feelings of exasperation, and hanging onto memories of better times are all relatable experiences, and “Threnody To A Car Crash Hearts” does a great job of creating that exact mood. Leading up to the outro, MISOGI quotes his own “Haute Couture” while drawing upon Fall Out Boy’s “Thriller,” serving as inspiration for the ending verse as well as the song title.
It come as no surprise to see “Spit On My Heart” on Death Metal. The original version, from PLAYMISOGI, seemed to be a preview for the sound and style we’d experience within Death Metal. The new version of the song is completely redone, now layered with synths washing in and out it of the background as the familiar guitar riff puts MISOGI’s evolving talents on display. The song’s lyrics are slightly varied from the PLAYMISOGI version but fit with the album’s recurring theme of love lost – a stark contrast to hopeful and wistful themes of the original version.
The final song on the album, “Little Brain,” features nothing,nowhere and sample dialogue from the 1980s dark comedy, Heathers. Various interpretations can be taken upon the verses:
“Little brain tell me where’d you go. I’m waiting outside your window, I’m very sad you left me out in the cold.”
MISOGI sings as if writing a letter to his own brain or state of mind. The respective melodies of the song are reminiscent of traditional emo sound, with a post-punk chorus and nostalgic coming-of-age aftertaste.
MISOGI’s ability to make music inspired by various genres is impressive and the Death Metal EP shows that. Though part of the underground, MISOGI shows listeners that he is not limiting himself to any genre even those that are mainly associated with underground music. With Death Metal EP being over a year old now, we eagerly await what MISOGI has in store and what direction the talented artist takes in future work. Take a listen below.