Through solid basslines, slinky riffs, and defining beats, this album fully encapsulates the experiences and struggles of one that may be applicable to many. “Slow Progress” consists of twelve tracks, each of which tells a story within a similar path. It embodies the sound of alternative hip-hop, with rap that leaves no detail behind.
It is safe to say that this record is extremely personal, shared with listeners in an intimate way. Sure, it contradicts the major theme sound-wise, but it does not take away the essence whatsoever. “Do It Like This”, the opening track, starts off cool, as it’s not bombarded with overwhelming combinations right away.
The line “Just children with no attachment and forced to survive / You can’t inherit a sudden passion for changing your life” just… hits. It talks about the overwhelming bitterness over sweetness in life, and the injustice within the system, particularly in creating, as not all are guaranteed a ticket to mainstream, as material with no essence would probably get more attention than art with depth.
“Laid Back (Freestyle)” is filled with witty rhymes and implications, really emphasizing and giving a reason why people should be watching out for Callum Ford: “I’m not a dancer, I’m a singer and a rapper”. The interludes are sleek, and the bassline completes the track altogether. Perhaps these songs introduce listeners indirectly to the artist and what this album in particular is going to bring to the table.
Aimed at something more outward, “Most Obvious Way” is a song more about a relationship, seemingly talking about conflict in terms of priorities, as well as both parties’ wants and needs. Similarly, “A Polite Breakup”, as ironic as it looks to be, is somewhat toxic as seen through the chorus: “She said, ‘baby don’t you let me down tonight’/ One more mistake, she won’t let me out her sight”. What’s more is that it verbalizes and conceptualizes a messy mind.
Speaking of, “I’ll Quit Tomorrow” zeroes in on that very phrase, describing the feeling of going nowhere in life, which would then resort to the song’s title. But, the line “Swallow my pride / Keep myself alive / Taking a deep breath, and keep it all inside” implies a remaining fight in him. The riff within this track is a breath of fresh air, adding variety to the overall sound profile of the album. Moreover, “400 Degrees” talks about inner struggles as well, but this time utilizing “Picture the scene / Building is burning these eyes / Swimming upstream, built from tears of my loved ones after my demise”, a devastating image across a catchy hook.
At this point, listeners would be able to categorize these songs as part of a group, yet what’s interesting is the unique takes and elements in select tracks, such as “Evil Schemes” and “What I Like”, both consisting of continuous grooves of fun line deliveries and rhythm, that one would fail to recognize the ever-so-continuation of the major theme. These are breathers, in a sense, as the fuzzy feeling and chill melodies are sure to make audiences vibe and bob their heads to the beat.
Moving forward, “The Real Thing” contains the great question of “are you loving/harming me?”, a song with great arrangement that seems like something from the perspective of a genuine and sincere person in a world full of lies and inauthenticity. The line “All we do is fabricate / Sleep in these lies we make” is powerful and stands out in particular.
The contrast of “It’s my insanity that’s keeping me sane” in “Supernova” makes it clear that the song is in fact about instability. It’s all well said, to the point that every line might make audiences empathize and connect with the pain and ache described by the artist. Likewise, “Borderline” opens with an abundance of self-awareness, with self-doubt being a contributing factor if one were to read between the lines.
“Silent Type” holds a raw structure, told in story or conversation-like manner. It’s a mix of different tempos, creating a unique dynamic between sections. It describes a person lacking a sense of self, just crossing the point of insecurity hence the opening line of “He’s not the silent type / So we can start to worry”.
Overall, this record is a worthy contender for having so much depth and personality in it. It balances out wittiness and despair, being the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for more meaning sounding through your headphones or through the lines, “Slow Progress” is worth a try.
Follow Callum Ford
About the Author
A psychology major with a knack for music and writing. Mostly indulges in alternative rock, indie, and pop punk.
A non-skippable album, every song just hits right with these powerful beats. Baselines in “silent type”,”the real thing” and especially “most obvious way” are just out of this world. My personal favourite lately 🙂