Silas Brief‘s “GUY (Karriem Riggins Remix)” is a sluggish bleed–emotional, cautious, and stuffed with restraint. The Stones Throw Information signee strikes in loops right here, folding in on himself, letting the burden of his phrases press gently into each phrase. The repeated refrain–“Lady you realize I’m not that man”–lands like one thing rehearsed in personal. Repeated within the mirror for readability and perhaps a shot of confidence.
His falsetto stays smooth, barely touching the floor. His phrasing has a millimeter-above-the-ground raise to it however does not drown within the instrumental. There’s pressure in the best way he lingers on sure vowels–almost like he’s watching the phrases evaporate shortly after they hit the air. There’s little urgency in his tone, however it’s removed from detached, even when the message begins to bend.
Karriem Riggins reshapes the observe into one thing sparse and vapor-lit. The live-sounding drums shuffle in staggered phrase–purposely touchdown in a jumble on the prime of the bar, adopted by close to silence. A closed hi-hat holds time whereas brushed snares and quick kicks fall in and out. Piano clusters and half-lit vibraphone licks meander throughout the beat, stretch large, after which disappear.
That is jazz, however it’s additionally dressed like a break-up-to-make-up R&B gem from a long time in the past. And Silas Brief delivers all of it with simply sufficient weight to maintain this breezy remix from floating away.
