Haasan Barclay, “Curfews”
Over the past couple of years, it might be more likely that you’ve gotten to know the music of Haasan Barclay through his CAMP BLOOD project, a music and visual arts duo comprised of Barclay and writing partner Shaka Dendy. But before he had even embarked on that explosion of punk energy channeled through an industrial hip-hop lens, Barclay released material as a solo artist. These releases came in the form of a handful of singles and EPs that explore a more psychedelic rock side of Haasan Barclay’s sound. Riff-heavy guitar lines, driving bass lines, and bounce-happy percussion meld with elements of funk and contemporary R&B.
“Curfews,” the fresh new single Haasan Barclay is dropping today, feels like the epitome of that blend. It’s driven tempo hints at summer vibes ahead, running full-force into a world of evening pleasures, desires, and long nights spent out, darting from one location to the next. Whirling synths add something akin to a neon glow over the syncopated guitar line; it’s not hard to imagine the singer–head in a daze–staring up at the bright neon lights of a city night.
The writing of the song, according to the artist, was meant to reflect the pent up feeling of being stuck in quarantine, the “yearning to risk it all for physical intimacy while in seemingly eternal lockdown.” It’s a feeling anyone who’s spent any time single during the past year knows too well. For example, maybe you were watching Gremlins 2: The New Batch recently and Greta the lady gremlin was looking a bit too good… (that’s just, like, one example that I can think of but definitely not from personal experience). Regardless, the song does have this push-pull between the verse and chorus: the former with it’s tight guitar riff to build tension before the latter’s synth melodies take over a send us on a wave of pure bliss.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Haasan Barclay has been an active user on Patreon, where he posts short videos highlighting his uncanny ability to flip samples to fit his own unique songwriting and production style. He’s also been known to post custom-made sample packs, in case you or one of your producer friends is looking for some interesting new sounds for their next project.
Stream “Curfews” by Haasan Barclay below via Spotify.