Featuring the distant yet organic ambience of a piano part, the dreamlike and reverb soaked aura of a collection of synths, and the thickness and rhythm of a classic hip-hop beat, ‘Levels’ puts forth the formula for nostalgic and effective hip-hop that does exactly what fans of the genre are likely to respond to. The rhythm of the track is crucial, the leading artist’s flow feeds into this consistently, never wavering or letting the energy fall. There’s a sense of the good times about it all, good vibes, the party element is the essence of the track and this laid back approach to life and to artistry makes for a single that fits the mood of the weekend pretty well.
The subject matter isn’t anything new, particularly in hip-hop, but the way Lil Wiley has approached it has a fairly individual look. The story is his own, the video literally backs up what he’s saying, and if that’s your thing then you’re in for the right kind of night. The track has been well produced so the rhythm and high energy of it all, particularly the hook section, holds an appropriate strength.
The opening few moments are very interesting as well as the later verses and lyrics that unfold. Once you’ve heard the hook a couple of times the movement and sound of it becomes familiar and easy to vibe to. This one is really all about the rhythm, though there is a touch of character and personality to the performance. The artist’s leading voice has a sound and tone that is his for the most part, those moments when the effects fall away showcase something a little more real and accessible. The performance is confident and consistent, as stated earlier – his flow fits the movement of the track perfectly.
By Rebecca Cullen
Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing
