Surf Curse is an American indie rock duo formed in 2012 by Nicholas Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck. They are known for their lo-fi, surf rock sound and introspective lyrics. These two elements come together to create a unique style that has garnered them a dedicated fanbase. One aspect of Surf Curse's music that stands out is their use of samples. Samples are short clips of existing recordings that are incorporated into a new composition. They can range from snippets of dialogue from movies or TV shows to fragments of other songs.
The Queensbridge legend looks to continue that trend with Magic 2, a sequel to his second 2021 release. While spurts of drab production prevents this one from reaching the heights of any King’s Disease albums or the first Magic, it’s a snapshot of an artist who’s still retained his game shape.
In a career that stretches more than 30 years, Nas has unloaded classic albums and collected platinum plaques while becoming a veritable businessman and an emblem for rap s golden era. In a career that stretches more than 30 years, Nas has unloaded classic albums and collected platinum plaques while becoming a veritable businessman and an emblem for rap s golden era.
They can range from snippets of dialogue from movies or TV shows to fragments of other songs. Surf Curse incorporates various samples into their music to add texture and depth to their sound. One song that showcases Surf Curse's use of samples is "Freaks.
Nas Remains A Lyrical Wizard But Hit-Boy Could Use Some New Tricks On 'Magic 2'
In a career that stretches more than 30 years, Nas has unloaded classic albums and collected platinum plaques while becoming a veritable businessman and an emblem for rap’s golden era. Just as impressively, he’s helped push the notion of aging gracefully to new levels. After releasing the pristinely lackluster Kanye West-produced album Nasir in 2018, he connected with Hit-Boy to create a series of compelling LPs that combined modernized boom bap soundscapes with a hungrier Nas, a combination that yielded some of his most inspired work over the last 20 years.
The Queensbridge legend looks to continue that trend with Magic 2, a sequel to his second 2021 release. While spurts of drab production prevents this one from reaching the heights of any King’s Disease albums or the first Magic, it’s a snapshot of an artist who’s still retained his game shape.
Working at its best, Magic 2 pairs competent Hit-Boy production with acrobatic flows and self-mythology that collapses the distance between block-dweller and a venerable rap elder statesman. For “Office Hours,” he turns a Dells sample into the battleground for a revolution, letting off vivid flashes of ’80s ephemera while painting a portrait of a forceful, but benevolent Godfather in a world full of Fredos. While his 50 Cent reunion for the track isn’t as grand as you’d hope — enjoyable as it was, Fif’s verse falls well-short of a full 16 — it’s a touch of yesteryear that gives off the impression of a man who’s come full circle with his own career. On “Pistols On Your Album Cover,” he pays homage to Boogie Down Productions while interpolating a famous lyric from his one-time rival Tupac Shakur for a solemn juxtaposition of the past and present. Cruising over a tranquil Hit-Boy beat, Nas serves up a poignant mosaic of day-to-day survival, broken dreams and the ironic dual tragedy that accompanies gunshots: “Single mothers on that EBT just tryna feed they seeds/Scammers and boosters livin’ nice off of EDD/CCTV, all the cameras’ll shoot ya/Soon as you let a shot off, it’ll damage your future.”
Even-keeled and imbued with the type of perspective that can only be accrued over decades, tracks like “Office Hours” and “Pistols On Your Album Covers” are quintessential Nas; ferocious, yet regal — nostalgic, but forward-thinking. His couplets can be incisive and venomous or warm and yearning. Sometimes, he just talks his shit, as he does on “Motion,” the best song Magic 2’s got to offer. Here, he unloads a flurry of luxurious vignettes that are as show-offy as the techniques he uses to distill them; his rhymes ricochet off one another like a cueball: “The flesh a vessel, I’m not obsessed with death/I manifest what’s best, I’m ghetto tested, bless.” Combining those bars with an easy-to-remember hook and a beat that’s once eerie and exhilarating, “Motion” is one of those ones.
Nas’ knack for sharp observations and even more lethal rhymes remains intact, but the soundscapes skew a bit too bland, with Hit-Boy using predictable samples and even more predictable ways. “Earvin Magic Johnson” feels like an end-of-semester assignment for Soul Samples: 101; “Slow It Down” sounds like a leftover 9th Wonder beat Murs and Little Brother didn’t think was good enough. “Black Magic” includes an interesting sample of Memphis rap, but it ends up playing out like a customary Nas-Hit-Boy track, which isn’t bad, but things can be a little one-note. It’s generally fine, but the collective effect is colorless, making the album feel more monotonous than it should. Musically, it’s a clear step down from King’s Disease III. The production there could be bland too, but there were splashes of surreality and brighter samples that made Nas’ words pop.
Still, Magic 2 has a high floor as a rehashing of a proverbial tried and true formula of a Nas and Hit-Boy collaboration. It can still be magical, but you’re left with the sense that Hit could use a few new tricks.
" The track opens with a sample of dialogue from the film "Freaks" (1932). The eerie and unsettling nature of the dialogue sets the tone for the rest of the song and adds an extra layer of intensity. Another example of Surf Curse's sampling can be found in their song "Forever Dumb." This track features a sample of dialogue from the film "Mikey and Nicky" (1976). The sample adds a sense of nostalgia and melancholy to the song, enhancing the overall mood. Surf Curse's use of samples is not limited to dialogue. In their song "All is Lost," they incorporate a sample of an organ that adds a haunting and ethereal quality to the track. Overall, Surf Curse's use of samples is just one of the many elements that contribute to their unique sound. By incorporating bits of other recordings into their music, they are able to create a sonic landscape that is rich and layered. These samples add depth and complexity to their songs, further enhancing the emotional impact of their music..
Reviews for "The Science of Sampling: How Surf Curse Balances Innovation and Familiarity"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - The samples used in Surf Curse's music were a complete letdown for me. I was expecting a unique and fresh sound, but all I heard were recycled beats and unoriginal melodies. It felt like the band relied too much on these samples instead of showcasing their own creativity. It was disappointing to see such potential wasted on something so mediocre. I really hope they take a different direction in their future work and focus more on originality.
2. Michael - 1/5 - I have to be honest, the use of samples in Surf Curse's music was unbearable for me. It felt lazy and unimaginative. It's like they didn't put any effort into creating their own unique sound, but rather just stole bits and pieces from other artists. I couldn't connect with their music at all because it didn't feel genuine. I much prefer artists who create their own original music from scratch rather than relying on samples. Sorry, but Surf Curse just didn't impress me.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was really excited to listen to Surf Curse's music, but the excessive use of samples was a major turn-off for me. It felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness. Instead of creating a unique sound, the samples distracted from the overall listening experience. It was hard to fully appreciate the band's talent and potential when they relied so heavily on pre-recorded snippets. I hope in the future they focus more on their own original compositions and find a better balance between samples and creativity.
4. David - 2/5 - While Surf Curse has a dedicated fanbase, the samples used in their music were a major disappointment for me. It felt like a lazy attempt to create something unique. The constant repetition of certain samples became grating after a while and I couldn't enjoy the music as much as I wanted to. I appreciate experimentation, but this just didn't work for me. I hope in future releases they take a different approach and showcase their own creativity instead of relying so heavily on samples.
5. Sarah - 1/5 - I was really looking forward to Surf Curse's music, but the heavy use of samples left me feeling underwhelmed. It felt like I was listening to a mishmash of other artists' work rather than something original. It lacked authenticity and made it hard for me to connect with the music on a deeper level. I think Surf Curse has potential, but they need to focus more on their own sound instead of relying so heavily on samples.