Track: "Jacob’s Game"
Artist: OHNO
Genre: Post-Punk
Label: Just Record Records
Written by: Malik
Produced by: OHNO
Length: 2:55
Personnel:Malik - Percussions, vocals, production, electric guitar, bass guitar
Liner –
“Jacob’s Game” is the debut major label single from Minnesota musician, OHNO. OHNO serves as a one-man project and following the passing around of his demo in LA, the musician was signed to Just Record Records.
“Jacob’s Game” focuses on a few themes but mainly the lack of agency given to African-Americans by larger institutions, with the bulk of the song focusing on the government and the church. OHNO is the son of a preacher and his sermon-like approach to the vocals within the track. The lyricism aims to be direct and due to the one man show behind the project, the instrumentals are sparse but hope to fill out the track with enough depth that the message comes across.
Jacob's Game:
Legend –
.g – Quick, melodic guitar chords. Creates a soft melody that works as a droning buildup.
.d – Repetitive yet rhythmic drumming, no hi-hats. Meant to give off a foreboding animalistic feeling.
.p – Not singing, but talking, almost pastoral like a sermon. Malik’s voice is driving, almost shaking at some points as he gives seconds hesitation between each line.
.g2 – A 15 second interlude where the guitar playing becomes even more melodic and technical, to create a contrast between the verse and the chorus.
.g3 – Full on thrash guitar work for the chorus, much more traditionally punk as OHNO goes for a huge breakdown here.
.d2 – Heavy drumming to accompany the heavier guitar work. Still animalistic but going at a faster pace.
.p2 – Like the peak of a sermon, Malik aims to shout here giving the chorus a stronger feel.
(.g)(.d)(.p)I thought it’d fix itself
Or maybe smooth me out
Hands across a body
Maybe I should’ve stayed downtrodden
But grief begets torment
And what’s a body to them
(/end)(.g2)(/end)
(.g3)(.d2)(.p2)What’s a body to these fucks
Just hold it down!
And what it thrash!
Watch it turn!
Hold a body
To watch it burn
(/end)
(.g)(.d)(.p)There’s a mocking to it
The siren’s call
It’s got a ringing familiarity
But I know it’s false.
And I can’t look it in the eye.
I can’t sound it out.
They’ve shouted me down
Hands across my throat
The gross sum of my actions
Clench at the soul
Sacrifice the flesh
But what’s a body to them
(/end).g2(/end)
(.g3)(.d2)(.p2)What’s a body to those fucks
Just hold it down!
And watch it thrash!
Watch it turn!
Hold a body
To watch it burn
Yeah
(/end)
