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Track by Track:
Curse Ov Dialect - Dark Days Bright Nights
Curse Ov Dialect - Dark Days Bright Nights
Off the back of the release of Dark Days Bright Nights, the new collection of heavy-hitting, 90’s style hip-hop from underground legends Curse Ov Dialect, we had the group walk us through some of the inspirations and motivations behind each track.
Four years since their last release of Twisted Strangers, Curse Ov Dialect have come back with a relevant and soul-inspiring album Dark Days Bright Nights. Since the group’s beginning in 1994, the four members of Curse Ov Dialect have formed and crafted their music and words towards the issues close to the heart, many of which that are neglected elsewhere. Across these 16 tracks, we’re drawn into Curse Ov Dialact’s surreal and kaleidoscopic universe that simultaneously manages to traverse the globe while doing so - just in the opening track ‘Curse Secret Service’, we’re served an eclectic blend of Turkish melodies, Spanish guitar and warped synthetic sounds.
Dark Days Bright Nights as a whole is quite reminiscent of the classic hip-hop we once knew well in the 90’s, with their swinging beats and natural flow of words. Curse Ov Dialect have once again integrated their own sense of style and cultural heritage into their music. Each track is different and carries distinctive messages. From the Middle Eastern instruments and trills of ‘Curse Secret Service’ and ‘Patterns and Regiments’, to even some rock influence, with electric guitars and hefty drum beats on tracks ‘Season of the Saviours’ and ‘Cultural Theft’, intertwined with their rhyming lyrical madness. ‘The Initiate’, ‘Whispers in the Ether’ and ‘Il Belliegha’ create a theatrical, haunting spectacle, with a monstrous tone in their voice - they speak of the monsters that will haunt your moral closet. The album even expands on the soulful magic of R&B and gospel on ‘Mesmerising Brain Glow’ and ‘Greener Futures’.
‘Never North’ is certainly one of the most passionate tracks in Dark Days Bright Nights. The cries against the political turbulence and torment in Macedonia tug at the heart strings, as the pride and loyalty to the culture and people of Macedonia are heard - the pain, the plea, the stance. The track skilfully portrays the angst by featuring the Macedonian language throughout the song, as the rap leans into the rhythm and stresses the ends of sentences to finalise the importance of each word. ‘Never North’ is a heartfelt protest through musical aptitude that ends with a quirky surprise.
Listening to Dark Days Bright Nights, the MC’s take turns flipping through the verses with their natural flow of rhythm. The mixing of samples along with distorted synth sounds and organic instruments continue to make Curse Ov Dialect’s music a work of art, a place where reality meets surrealism. Curse Ov Dialect aren’t confined to the constructs of society and the restrictions of musical structure.
We had the pleasure of talking to Curse Ov Dialect to get the innate meaning and inspirations of each track on the brand new album Dark Days Bright Nights.
Dark Days Bright Nights as a whole is quite reminiscent of the classic hip-hop we once knew well in the 90’s, with their swinging beats and natural flow of words. Curse Ov Dialect have once again integrated their own sense of style and cultural heritage into their music. Each track is different and carries distinctive messages. From the Middle Eastern instruments and trills of ‘Curse Secret Service’ and ‘Patterns and Regiments’, to even some rock influence, with electric guitars and hefty drum beats on tracks ‘Season of the Saviours’ and ‘Cultural Theft’, intertwined with their rhyming lyrical madness. ‘The Initiate’, ‘Whispers in the Ether’ and ‘Il Belliegha’ create a theatrical, haunting spectacle, with a monstrous tone in their voice - they speak of the monsters that will haunt your moral closet. The album even expands on the soulful magic of R&B and gospel on ‘Mesmerising Brain Glow’ and ‘Greener Futures’.
‘Never North’ is certainly one of the most passionate tracks in Dark Days Bright Nights. The cries against the political turbulence and torment in Macedonia tug at the heart strings, as the pride and loyalty to the culture and people of Macedonia are heard - the pain, the plea, the stance. The track skilfully portrays the angst by featuring the Macedonian language throughout the song, as the rap leans into the rhythm and stresses the ends of sentences to finalise the importance of each word. ‘Never North’ is a heartfelt protest through musical aptitude that ends with a quirky surprise.
Listening to Dark Days Bright Nights, the MC’s take turns flipping through the verses with their natural flow of rhythm. The mixing of samples along with distorted synth sounds and organic instruments continue to make Curse Ov Dialect’s music a work of art, a place where reality meets surrealism. Curse Ov Dialect aren’t confined to the constructs of society and the restrictions of musical structure.
We had the pleasure of talking to Curse Ov Dialect to get the innate meaning and inspirations of each track on the brand new album Dark Days Bright Nights.
Curse Secret Service
A fat banging cross-cultural Turkish James Bond themed hip hop party song. Lyrically you are taken into a world where each MC character is a superhero agent unifying to fight ignorance and navigating through utopian landscapes and colourful scenes in an undercover global mission rap style. Sonic textures include Egyptian moog, Spanish bullfight themes, live flutes and features Cape Verdean Creole poetry. A sonic smorgasbord of heavy energy.
Season of the Saviours
A song about how social media is polarising humanity and the fight against racism needs to be fought tactically so the right wing can’t manipulate the narrative together with commentary about society's dismal existence and how capitalism has created selfish humans.
The Initiate
A disco banger! A song for all to pull out your disco ball and flares from the past and be hypnotised by the beat… The song lyrically tackles how social media can brainwash people when it appeals to individual sensibilities. When feeling lonely and vulnerable you can fit right in wherever your master takes you… No more lonely days - a warning with a disco beat.
Cultural Theft
A song about racism and the legacy of worldwide colonialism… cultures globally that have been abused, misrepresented and destroyed. Referencing some indigenous and ethnic groups that are not as popular in media circles and pointing out current governments doing damage to minorities.
Never North
A protest song about the unfair name change and government capitulation in the Republic of Macedonia. Criticising the Macedonian government for corruption and the illegal path they took to change the constitution. Criticising USA and European figures who pressured the country to make changes and signed a treaty that has stripped its citizens of human rights and self-determination.
Privileged Hand
Left wing activists love to play the role of fighting injustice but in the end it’s a fashion statement and they're not in it for the long haul. The song includes witty lyrical styles that playfully point out cultural contradictions in people who claim some significance.
Eating Carpets
A song about absurdity and surrealistic concepts inspired by the SBS show Eat Carpet from the 90s. Lyrical and poetical when referencing the strange and interesting characters in parts of the verses, as well as a few jabs at ignorant people.
Mesmerising Brain Glow
The pursuit of happiness and cheerful thoughts/positivity for the future. This includes a day in the life of the narrators, their perspectives and self-criticism. A happy vibe with warm samples.
Gully Millionaire
Is the paradox of the have and the have nots. Dark stories filled with loss and triumph. Bright tales of fortune and misfortune. A song where the tales speak of karma and the cycle of abuse and redemption. A musical backdrop of mechanical machine noises, sounds of soulful sadness, chimes and the chaotic cyberpunk frequencies of a big city.
Whispers in the Ether
Ghostly images and electronic voice phenomena/the existence of ghosts/experiences that can’t be explained. References to real life spiritual experiences from childhood and evoking darker feelings and emotions.
Il Belliegha
The birth of the Maltese well monster who lives in a well on the island of Gozo.
Beneath the Growth
Atarangi instrumental track.
Minion Disease
The subjects of Eurocentric racist ideologies broken down. Tales of a mental health professional. Critiquing the social/health sector in Australia and pointing out its contradictions and irony.
Masquerades
The world tries to mould you into what it wants you to be but you have to fight the algorithms and to remain a free thinker. The constant struggle to identify with your dreams while living in a mundane day to day lifestyle.
Patterns and Regiments
The grind of life and the way things change over time need to be challenged. A search for freedom in a system that assimilates you if you don't check yourself.
Greener Futures
Grief and remembrance. Revisiting childhood memories of a troubled boy who didn't realise that his mother's love was sacred and needed to be cherished over everything until she was critically sick.
A fat banging cross-cultural Turkish James Bond themed hip hop party song. Lyrically you are taken into a world where each MC character is a superhero agent unifying to fight ignorance and navigating through utopian landscapes and colourful scenes in an undercover global mission rap style. Sonic textures include Egyptian moog, Spanish bullfight themes, live flutes and features Cape Verdean Creole poetry. A sonic smorgasbord of heavy energy.
Season of the Saviours
A song about how social media is polarising humanity and the fight against racism needs to be fought tactically so the right wing can’t manipulate the narrative together with commentary about society's dismal existence and how capitalism has created selfish humans.
The Initiate
A disco banger! A song for all to pull out your disco ball and flares from the past and be hypnotised by the beat… The song lyrically tackles how social media can brainwash people when it appeals to individual sensibilities. When feeling lonely and vulnerable you can fit right in wherever your master takes you… No more lonely days - a warning with a disco beat.
Cultural Theft
A song about racism and the legacy of worldwide colonialism… cultures globally that have been abused, misrepresented and destroyed. Referencing some indigenous and ethnic groups that are not as popular in media circles and pointing out current governments doing damage to minorities.
Never North
A protest song about the unfair name change and government capitulation in the Republic of Macedonia. Criticising the Macedonian government for corruption and the illegal path they took to change the constitution. Criticising USA and European figures who pressured the country to make changes and signed a treaty that has stripped its citizens of human rights and self-determination.
Privileged Hand
Left wing activists love to play the role of fighting injustice but in the end it’s a fashion statement and they're not in it for the long haul. The song includes witty lyrical styles that playfully point out cultural contradictions in people who claim some significance.
Eating Carpets
A song about absurdity and surrealistic concepts inspired by the SBS show Eat Carpet from the 90s. Lyrical and poetical when referencing the strange and interesting characters in parts of the verses, as well as a few jabs at ignorant people.
Mesmerising Brain Glow
The pursuit of happiness and cheerful thoughts/positivity for the future. This includes a day in the life of the narrators, their perspectives and self-criticism. A happy vibe with warm samples.
Gully Millionaire
Is the paradox of the have and the have nots. Dark stories filled with loss and triumph. Bright tales of fortune and misfortune. A song where the tales speak of karma and the cycle of abuse and redemption. A musical backdrop of mechanical machine noises, sounds of soulful sadness, chimes and the chaotic cyberpunk frequencies of a big city.
Whispers in the Ether
Ghostly images and electronic voice phenomena/the existence of ghosts/experiences that can’t be explained. References to real life spiritual experiences from childhood and evoking darker feelings and emotions.
Il Belliegha
The birth of the Maltese well monster who lives in a well on the island of Gozo.
Beneath the Growth
Atarangi instrumental track.
Minion Disease
The subjects of Eurocentric racist ideologies broken down. Tales of a mental health professional. Critiquing the social/health sector in Australia and pointing out its contradictions and irony.
Masquerades
The world tries to mould you into what it wants you to be but you have to fight the algorithms and to remain a free thinker. The constant struggle to identify with your dreams while living in a mundane day to day lifestyle.
Patterns and Regiments
The grind of life and the way things change over time need to be challenged. A search for freedom in a system that assimilates you if you don't check yourself.
Greener Futures
Grief and remembrance. Revisiting childhood memories of a troubled boy who didn't realise that his mother's love was sacred and needed to be cherished over everything until she was critically sick.
Dark Days Bright Nights is out now through Heavy Machinery Records - head to curseovdialect.bandcamp.com to purchase the album on limited edition double vinyl.
