Nicole Tiffany ventures out into the unknown with this latest single “SmackDown Freestyle” introducing something completely unexpected and perhaps more creative and clear-cut than anything she’s put out to date.
This is, quite simply, a stunning piece of music and performance – a basic set-up sees nothing but a concept, a voice and a guitar paint the experience around you. Lashings of reverb help give a distant and somewhat classic feel, but what really sets the whole thing apart is the switch to the weight of the hook from the softness of the verses – and this is presented purely by the performance; the honest vocal that sees the singer pour his very soul into the moment. It makes the song connect in a profound manner – the notes chosen and this moment of resolve being so melancholic and trapped in longing is easy to relate to, and to feel as if it’s all completely relevant to you.
As always, Nicole Tiffany pours genuine emotion and depth into her writing – that voice is perfectly matched for the kind of darkness that emerges on a song like this. Making certain to craft things in a relevant way though, the song is structured effectively – the melodic hook has a longing to it, a sense of desperation and a redirection of the narrative to suddenly be a direct outburst from the leading character. This is where the audience becomes a part of the process too – there’s a vagueness in the calling out of the hook, so you can attach your own meaning to it and thus make the moment your own.
Before then, the verse lyrics are delivered in a fairly mellow manner – the tone seems serious, weighty, not fast-paced but intense enough to hold your attention. Nicole Tiffany is a fascinating producer as well, with every release she puts forth there’s a known air of professionalism interwoven among her experimentally creative drive. This is an absolute highlight and a track that presents an enjoyable level of character and color – leaning slightly towards the quirkier side of the hip hop music spectrum, but never quite falling too far in that direction. Balance is crucial and that’s something Nicole Tiffany knows and works with masterfully throughout her work.
