Song Of The Day: "The Critic" by Mateo Senolia creates Lit House (Literature + House)

Spoken word has long been a factor in memorable house music tracks, and it's honestly one of my favorite things ever when done right. Selecting the right passage or group of words and inserting them at the opportune time to coincide with the heightening or general manipulations of emotions is key.

Source
Mateo Senolia

Mateo Senolia isn't my personal DJ pseudonym, but it's actually the alias for a novelist/screenwriter named Marcus J. Guillory who frequently drops little excerpts of prose into his dance music tracks. He's trying to brand this method of extended spoken word samples with house music as "Lit House". Not "lit" in the turn-up sense that the youths utilize. He's actually done performances with his buddy where they read passages of a book live while he lays down the beat! Interesting approach, he said it went well. I'd love to see how that went down. For an extended talk into his performances and music, check out this video from the man himself.

We start out hearing the thoughts of someone we can presume is "the critic" while listening to this chugging drum pattern. The critic somewhat sneeringly meditates on art, the artist's role in society, and how people view those who make their living by creating. After some time, the narrator remarks "But you can never describe to someone who uses God's Gift to enslave...that you have used God's Gift...to be free-"

The song then dramatically cuts into a deep, ethereal breakdown while repeating the same two words periodically, "be free". It kind of has a brainwashing effect in the best way. At the end of the day, deep house/lo-fi sounds and effects are my consistent favorite things to incorporate into an electronic music song. They feel so calming and put me into this great mental trance. Those deep waves coupled with the repeated "Be Free" are satisfying as hell, as the repetition and instrumentals bring focus to the substance of the words.

It's a great combination of elements. I hope you enjoy the song too!

Mateo Senolia - The Critic