In today’s age, technology has flooded our lives with content. Caught in the mire are today’s musicians who champion an artform that’s more widely distributed than any other throughout human history. And we, more often than not, overlook the music created by unfamiliar faces because it’s challenging. We’d rather have an easy listen, a known quantity to skim through while we think about something else.
Hearing is easy, but listening is difficult. Welcome to “Why We Like It”, where we rebuke the trends in favor of thoughtful analysis and underknown sounds.
Broken Pen: “It’s Like That” (feat. Siimba Liives Long)
Listen On:
How We Found It:
We first came across NYC based artist Broken Pen and his track “It’s Like That” when his manager submitted to our portal at SubmitHub earlier this month. “It’s Like That” was his first submission and is a single from his 12 track, 41 minute debut album Escape & Approach.
Why We Like It:
From the first second of “It’s Like That”, the production catches your attention with it’s atmospheric, disjointed vocal samples, lo-fi strings, and understated throbbing bass. But then, 20 seconds in, Siimba Liives Long begins to flow — and suddenly your attention is their captive. Pen and Siimba’s deliveries provide contrast and personality to an enchanting soundscape that hinges on the recurring vocal sample from Mia Gladstone. After several listens, there’s just something about this song that pulls you back into it.
From the Artist:
The most rewarding part of collaborating with a multi-person team of creators is watching everything come together – regardless of whether you know, or even meet, any of the other collaborators along the way.” – Broken Pen
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