FUCKING YOUNG - TRACK REVIEW
- Pez
- Jul 21, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 7, 2020
What's good,
Pez off the SonicPlug collective, here with the first track review of The Plug.
Today’s track is a lush, slick, vibrant piece, off of none other than Tyler, the Creator’s 3rd full-length studio album, Cherry Bomb.
FUCKING YOUNG features an array of youthful synths, wavy tones, bell plinks, strings, horns and the lot that really captivate the listener, and really tease the eardrums. Sonically, the track is gorgeous in the sense of aesthetics, giving off a really naive and love-struck feel. Charlie Wilson’s (shoutout) mature supporting vocals beautifully complements Tyler’s stylistically conversational lead. Tyler, who produced not only this track but the entirety of Cherry Bomb, creates an eccentric harmony between his pre-mature vocal leads and his refined, sweet, and lavish instrumental. The mix on this track is very full and wide, just enough that it’s not messy/muddy and overwhelming, but at the same time very clear and well balanced.
Tyler begins this track with a little prelude. The vocal is a little weak, a little "tongue on cheek", although Tyler shows his self-awareness to this by roasting his own vocals: “Fuck, I can’t sing”. Because this intro is only accompanied by a phased guitar strumming some chords (and later an alien-ish rift above it), the full force of the track slaps you in the face, but it does so pleasantly. The chorus and hooks summarises the whole song quite well; Tyler comments on his various troubles/doubts maintaining this relationship with a girl, who supposedly “stole his heart” and is too FUCKING YOUNG. This love interest, apparently, is so “FUCKING” young that Tyler fears the “POLICEMAN” knocking at his door. This is a little outlandish when coming out of Tyler’s mouth, due to his “FUCK THE RULES” persona that is often conveyed on some other tracks on this album. During this part, the track is literally in full-effect, reflecting the overwhelming nature of Tyler’s position in this situation.
When Tyler’s rap verse hits (an explanation, also providing context to the story) the beat partially falls away for a little bit, giving his plea some room to shine and take the reins of this track where the beat did so previously. While his explanation is heartfelt, the delivery of the verse - not vocally, but lyrically - is a little too "RAW" for me. Nevertheless, I can understand why Tyler decided to run with this; he tries to embrace a naive, puppy-love ridden, character that is a little immature who flirts/struggles with temptation. Essentially, Tyler is thinking with his “DICK” instead of his “HEAD”.
There is a super smooth, beautifully executed transition to the second half the track: the love interest’s response, or her side of the story. The transition is a constant drum kick, which resembles someone, or in this case, a “POLICEMAN’. Tyler’s waaaaay too “FUCKING YOUNG” girl attempts to entice him, reassuring him that its going to be okay, and to keep a “FUCK’EM ALL BABY, IT’S JUST YOU AND ME” attitude. She also teases Tyler with “YOU’RE SCARED” - essentially telling him to stop being a pussy about it. At the same time, the girl appears to be much more composed about the situation when compared to Tyler, who is worried shitless; the new instrumental is very reflective of their polarity. Instead of a very full and almost overwhelming mix, the beat is very simple and relaxed and not as elaborate as Tyler’s part, featuring only some simple (yet extremely effective) instrumentation/vocal harmony. Essentially the girl is thinking with her DI-
Tyler, the Creator maturely crafts this elegant track with instrumental contrasting his vocals, himself contrasting his girl.
PLUGGED by,
Pez*
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