In today’s age, technology has flooded our lives with content. Caught in the mire are today’s musicians who champion an art form 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.
“Flying” by Kéwork
Listen On:
How We Found It
Who else can say that they’re named after a hero? Well after combining Saint George the dragon-slayer and the Armenian freedom fighter Kevork Chavush, Kéwork seeks to lead a musical uprising of his own. The young musician started playing piano ten years ago and earned a music degree at the Conservatorium Inholland Haarlem. Now under the name, Kéwork, he drops off his debut single, “Flying” in our Submithub inbox.
Why We Like It
When I put on my headphones and press play, I want to be taken on a never-ending journey. I want a song to pick me up and take me someplace I haven’t been to before. Kéwork’s “Flying” took me on a futuristic, magic carpet ride and showed me something I never expected. I found a song that was an everlasting story and I wanted to stay on that ride as long as I could. When I eventually opened my eyes, I realized that I’m the Jasmine who ditched Aladdin to be with Luke Skywalker as we soar through the stars. Kéwork lives to his namesake of St. George and takes me far away from the evils before me like the damsel, Sabre. It’s not only a romantic ride, it’s the adventure of a lifetime as the artist flies high past anything I’ve seen.
Kéwork’s vocals are heavenly and even though they’re mixed with the drums, synths, and horns, they’re powerful, prevalent, and piercing. His vocal tone and control show experience. The production, while fun and boisterous, doesn’t overshadow his singing. His melodies are similar to R&B but have a crisp texture to them that reminds me of pop with soul-infused into every line he delivers.
Stylistically, “Flying” is right up my alley and I’m compelled by the need to sing along with Kéwork. When he harmonizes with himself, it’s like a star exploding and I’m feeling every bit of radiation enter me. It’s radioactive and bound to affect you from the inside out. First touching my soul to then having me sing along to finally having my whole body move with every note as I become one with the song. His vocals are the selling point.
The production has a story of its to tell as well and enhances the overall experience of the track. The subtle tone starts as it builds with the hi-hats and drums as his voice helps the beat build as well. It’s not a shot to space. It’s like the beat builds a ladder to the stars and when you get there after the first chorus, there’s this space of minimalism that let me bask in the sonic pleasure I just witnessed. Shortly after, it continued the journey until the song finally ends on almost like a whisper. Not signifying a true end but a “To Be Continued….” and I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
From Kéwork
Though this is the first single, you actually find yourself in the middle of the wider story — a little like how the Star Wars saga was first told. I think it’s sick when you see all the different plots and themes finally coming together; the album will be filled with that kind of thing. This part of the story actually revolves around the escape of my character and his damsel. Having middle eastern parents meant I grew up having to clean all the Persian carpets in our house. So deciding on that to be the escape vehicle was a big shout out to the imagination of my 7-year-old self. I think it also represents the relevance and power of culture and history, in a time where it seems we so often disregard that kind of stuff.” – Kéwork, “Flying” (2020)
More From Kéwork
Kéwork is new on his journey but expect him to be dropping more singles on the way. He’s also working on his debut EP/album. Stay tuned. He is sure to amaze you as he continues this journey.
More to Discover
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