MAN DOWN by ARDN

Toronto Music Archive.

 
 
 
 
 

ARDN has just released his new single titled, "MAN DOWN." ARDN, an Edmonton native, is one of the city's most unique and talented artists today. "MAN DOWN" demonstrates his ability and prowess on the mic. His lyrical content here is unlike anything I've heard from the city in recent months. He writes it in a very natural and grounded manner. The production stands out on its own, and when combined with ARDN's distinct and matured vocals, the result is something memorable and powerful like "MAN DOWN." The line "the land of the broken there's a lot we were prone to" from ARDN is still very relevant today. The world around us is getting crazier and crazier, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to escape that said matrix; this is where I believe I understand the term "MAN DOWN" and my interpretation of the track. One of the things that makes music so great is how something ARDN intended with a specific lyric can be interpreted completely differently by someone else, and that's the beautiful thing about music. ARDN continues to speak of him "finding himself while others seek solitude." Mentioning the world's current political landscape. There are many great lines in this track, but as a music fan, the sonic value of a track is equally important. I really like the different flow changes and vocal mixing styles in this track. Sections like 0:48-1:07 and 1:54-2:11 have a Travis Scott vibe to them, with the heavily edited vocal mix creating an echoey and atmospheric atmosphere. Sections like these help to add something new and memorable to lyrical tracks. The production is simple yet timeless; you can never go wrong with a classic 90s HipHop beat. It's been modernized, and it features a memorable vocal instrumental that adds depth to the already lyrically driven track. I've heard the same old beat and flow from a hundred different artists before, and ARDN just does it differently every time. Something about ARDN's flow and cadence just doesn't sound right to me. And it all begins with his creation. The visual content for "MAN DOWN" is straightforward but effective. It is not always necessary to use flashy sets and extravagant production to tell a story and convey a message. I'm aware that the video's inspiration is based on ARDN's Maden 24 placement, which is a huge accomplishment. I love seeing artists get placements like these because it really helps take their music to the next level. But I'm curious to see where ARDN goes next, and I'm hoping to see some sort of project in the near future.

Written by Maxim Bayarsky

 
 
 
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