The Grimm Riddle is the musical project for Duane de Coning out of South Africa. OK? is his second release which brings a familiar feel of alternative and grunge to the table with some slight experimental ideas. It’s a captivating EP all the way through and I have to hand it to de Coning for handling the instrumentation.
Up first is “The Jokes on Me” which is a fun song with a good amount of energy. I thought the bass during the verse was exceptional. The song moves fast and goes through a number of transitions within a minute. I was actually most impressed by the instrumental part of the song which happens a little after the two-minute mark. The title track was another energy fueled song but my favorite aspect was that he was willing to experiment. There is a breakdown which felt original and inventive. It gave the song an off-kilter feel that helped make it feel unique. This is an aspect I always harp on and am glad to hear this sort of out of the box thinking. “Good Days” has a nostalgic, emotionally resonant feel to it. I think his vocals sound good here and when he sings at a lower octave he really shines. He closes with “I Belong Here” which all at once felt like the most commercially viable and different. The lead vocals at times reminded me of U2 but the song gets into heavy sampling as well. One thing for sure is it didn't sound like the other songs and was actually an unusual way to end because it significantly altered the foundation he was building with the first three songs. There are some really good ideas here along with hooks. I would like to hear more from him soon and hopefully he establishes a little bit more of a foundation. Overall, this is a solid EP and points to an inspired artist with tons of potential.
2 Comments
Daniella Hartman
9/28/2017 10:34:42 pm
This is an insightful review that truly nails The Grimm Riddle's songs. Duane is an inspiring artist who deserves these thoughtful words. I'm so looking forward to seeing what lies on the horizon.
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I agree. It sounds original and very unique. It proves that you don't always need cheesy phrases with a very catchy hook to write a good song. Not only we need to hear more from him but we also need more artists/bands like The Grimm Riddle. Good album, good review. 4 stars from me!
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