WEEKEND - LAY DOWN (SWIMMING POOLS)



Really a cover of a cover, Weekend have put their own spin on MKS' version of 'Swimming Pools' by Kendrick Lamar. Confused? Most people would be but the fact of the matter is that it's rather good and this is the first time that Weekend have sang together ever since 'the nasty split' which saw Oscar Ward walk out of the group only to return a month later. This cover is NOT going to be on the album and has only been filmed for two purposes. 1) For the boys to have a little fun and 2) So fans have something new to listen to whilst album number two is still in the works. This urban and edgy sound is a nice change from the usual, upbeat pop/rock tracks that we're used to hearing from the boys. Many may be unsure whether or not they can pull something like this off but by giving it a listen, you'll be pleasantly surprised. The video was recorded two weeks ago which explains why Dustyn isn't wearing a ring so don't panic! Recorded there and then in one shot, it shows off the boys' live vocals and proves that they can sing without the aid of some big wig producer. Although this is just a little something for the fans, us here at Weekend HQ think that this sound suits the boys rather well and are hoping that this may be a new direction for the fantastic five.

THE VIDEO & TRACK
As the video begins, the five members of Weekend are standing in a recording studio together with microphone stands in front of them. Scott is at the far left hand side wearing his signature striped top. To his left is Billy who is then followed by Dustyn who stands in the middle looking rather small as he is between Billy and Riley, the two tallest members of the band. Oscar is at the other end, to the left of Riley. A few seconds later, the track starts to play through huge speakers which are behind the five boys. The familiar opening of 'Swimming Pools' by Kendrick Lamar is heard and the original vocals from the track play. Scott and Riley start to move their heads in time with the beat whilst Oscar places his hand on his mic, ready to take the first verse. As soon as the original vocals stop, Oscar comes in and shows that he is comfortably with basically any genre. He half raps/half sings in a very husky, deep voice that somehow still manages to flow along with the silky smooth, tranquil backing track. It seems effortless as he sings the fast paced lyrics in a stop and start like way. As he moves onto the second verse singing in the same manner, the other boys all bob along to the track. Riley and Dustyn look at each other and smile just before the chorus comes in. The beat picks up, adding a lot more bass but still keeping its 'flowing', nonchalant nature. During the chorus, only Billy is singing and as he does, he shows off his improved vocals. In the past, many said that Billy was shouting instead of singing but now he seemed a lot more comfortable. His smooth, 'urban' sounding voice flows well with the track and his subtle vocal runs sound beautiful. As Billy sings, he takes the mic out of the stand and moves around a little as he doesn't like being constricted to the one space whilst performing. When the chorus comes to an end, the sample from the original version is played again and the track decreases in volume and bass. During the second verse, Dustyn begins to sing. His vocals are always outstanding and interesting and this track was no exceptions. The little pop star sings in the same stop/start, half rap, half sung style as Oscar and has an even deeper voice than Ward which comes as a surprise. Being the youngest, smallest and always speaking in a high pitched, excitable voice it is surprising how low he can go. Also, his Irish twang adds a little spice to his performance as his pronunciation of certain words such as 'pause' and 'bored' stand out and makes his verse even more unique. The chorus kicks in quicker than before as Dustyn is still singing the word 'fame' when Billy comes in and wows us with his vocals again. During the chorus, Oscar mouths something to Scott which makes him bite his lip and turn away, holding in a laugh. Towards the end of the chorus a slight crack is heard in Billy's voice and although it was not planned, it adds a nice 'roughness' to his voice. Again, the sample repeats after the chorus. All five boys then approach their microphone stands (Billy places his mic back in the stand too) as they prepare to sing together for the first time in the song. Although it is just a repetition of 'Oooohs', Oscar, Dustyn, Billy, Scott and Riley all harmonise beautifully together which is something all Weekend fans love to hear as they rarely harmonise on tracks. Usually one member's vocals are more prominent when they all sing together but this time is different. It sounds like a new voice, creating a sixth tone as the five all sing together in a rather high pitch. As the song breaks down into the middle 8 section, it takes on an even more tranquil, flowing sound. Riley begins to sing and just like Billy, it's obvious that his vocals have improved. Beforehand many people said that despite having a good voice, it can sound too nasally at times. Riley naturally sings in a high pitched, tenor like voice similar to that of Adam Levine and MIKA. During the middle 8, he sings in his usual style but it's a lot tamer. His breezy vocals add an ethereal feel to the song, gently sweeping the listener away into pure bliss. Despite being only a few lines, the long notes stretch out the middle 8 for a decent amount of time. Another noticeable sound is Riley's pronunciation of the vowels. His English accent seems really prominent and this has never been demonstrated by Hamilton before. As soon as Riley finishes, Billy comes in singing with a lot of attitude and a heavier backing track which contrasts greatly to the section Riley just performed. Billy's last section takes lyrics from the original track; 'Swimming Pools'. His vocals runs stand out when he sings 'dive in it', putting a lot of stress on the 'i's in the line. After building up a lot of energy, the track calms down as the boys come together again to harmonise one last time. After beautifully leading the track towards its end, the word 'drank' from Kendrick's version of the song comes out of nowhere and closes the track. Oscar and Billy smile at each other (for a change) and the other boys start to speak to one another however, their conversations are muted on the video. The screen slowly fades to black.


Original Kendrick Lamar vocals
All
Billy
Dustyn
Oscar
Riley
Scott

Pour up drank, head shot drank
Sit down drank, stand up drank
Pass out drank, wake up drank
Faded drank, faded drank

I wanna stay, I wanna go round again
Already been here too many times before
And I wanna play, please let me stay, power to game
Don't wanna bend here, it defies the law

And I wanna place where I can go now and again
Already been here too many times before
And I'm gonna pay, please let me stay, pounds to shake
Gotta hold them up here, it decries the fame

When I lay down you can bet that I have found where I wanna be
And all around where I tread are all the sounds that I found put the luck on me
It's so profound and you can bet, that I have found where I wanna be
I'm all alone in every breath, all around and my back right in front of me

Pour up drank, head shot drank
Sit down drank, stand up drank
Pass out drank, wake up drank
Faded drank, faded drank

It's back for the ways, back for the place, pause the thing
Don't wanna waste stays, when they all talk so bored.
And I gotta face that I can show now and again
You've already seen more too many times before.

Now I got a space where I can lay now and again
Already laid here too many times on low.
And I've got a place, front of the race, my power's to blame
To wanna bend here, it defies the law.

When I lay down you can bet that I have found where I wanna be
And all around where I tread are all the sounds that I found put the luck on me
It's so profound and you can bet, that I have found where I wanna be
I'm all alone in every breath, all around and my back right in front of me

Pour up drank, head shot drank
Sit down drank, stand up drank
Pass out drank, wake up drank
Faded drank, faded drank

Oooooh, oooh, oooh, oooooh
oooh, oooh, ooooooh
Oooooh, oooh, oooh, oooooh
oooh, oooh, ooooooh

Too much. Too many.
Too little ti-i-i-i-ime
No search, no bad pennies.
No cry-i-i-i-i

Why you babysitting only two or three shots?
I'mma show you how to turn it up a notch
First you get a swimming pool full of liquor then you dive in it
Pool full of liquor then you dive in it
I wave a few bottles then I watch em all flock
All the girls wanna play Baywatch
I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it
Pool full of liquor I'mma dive in it

Oooooh, oooh, oooh, oooooh
oooh, oooh, ooooooh
Oooooh, oooh, oooh, oooooh
oooh, oooh, ooooooh

Drank...