"Requiem"
By James Yu Nov. 13, 2024
With the start of the school year and the stacks upon stacks of homework which that entails, I find myself with increasingly less time to question the deeper meaning behind each and every thing that I do. Luckily, Keshi’s newest album “Requiem” explores the meaning behind many of life’s greatest tribulations. Although the album’s themes at times can be repetitive, “Requiem” is an insightful listen which conveys intriguing commentary on life while also being easy on the ears.
Keshi opens the project with “Amen,” a song accurately titled for its ethereal, angelic backing vocals. Its lyrics set the tone for the album, evoking the singer’s desperation to find heavenly meaning in life amongst hellish challenges: a recurring motif throughout the rest of the record.
Shifting the beat to a more rhythmic tempo, “Say” explores the pains behind unrequited love while retaining Keshi’s blissful and elegant vocals. The song’s groovy instrumental and snazzy pace compliment Keshi’s singing well, culminating into a cohesive yet layered tune.
Similarly to “Say,” the following song “Night” doubles down on the rhythmic beats through syncopated percussion and 808s. As Keshi pleads to be emancipated from terrors which haunt him in the night, his singing turns visceral and desperate, contrasting well with the resolute and booming 808s.
Despite many of my peers’ profound admiration for “Soft Spot,” which follows “Night” on the tracklist, the song’s affectionate lyrics feel out of place in between the desperation of “Night” and the uplifting mood shift of “Like That.” On “Soft Spot,” Keshi reflects on his conflicted feelings for his partner, presenting her love as warm and irreplaceable. However, the somber vibe of the song conflicts with the passionate themes of the surrounding songs, resulting in “Soft Spot” rubbing off as a lukewarm ballad when heard after “Night.”
Skipping to the track “War,” Keshi restrains a rising tension from the beat and piano through an earnest serenade before releasing the reigns and letting the mounting instrumental crash like a wave throughout the chorus, where Keshi sings about the fruitless battle waged between him and his lover.
The soul Keshi embeds within each song makes it impossible to address every song on the album without abridging its true message. Keshi’s deep album requires a thorough listen to fully comprehend and appreciate the themes he presents. I recommend listeners to hear for themselves how the melodies of each song off of “Requiem” speak to their own lives.
About the Contributors
James Yu
sports editor
James Yu is a Junior at Leland High School and Page Editor for the Sports Section. He loves listening to music and reviewing the newest releases as Music Columnist. Outside of Journalism, he enjoys debating for the debate team, hanging out with friends, and sleeping.
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