Mad Man Midnight - Laugh But Laugh No More
Hip Hop/Rap, R&B
Colorado, United States
Overall Impression: Hip hop artist Mad Man Midnight explores heavy themes of loss and regret with his release of "Laugh But Smile No More." This gripping, heartrending track is highlighted by playful beat design, featuring a nostalgic piano sample driven by trap-style hats and claps, with booming 808 bass providing the low-end support. Soulful ad-libs are sprinkled throughout the verses here, while a full r&b chorus serves as a wonderful melodic hook to artistically contrast with Midnight's melancholic and wistful delivery, as he recounts a personal tragedy with striking candor and prose. Mad Man Midnight's "Laugh But Smile No More" will surely resonate with many hip hop and rap enthusiasts, thanks to its thoughtful production and commitment to realism.
Strongest Point(s): Compelling production, fantastic arrangement and overall beat design. Great choice of piano sample, it really works well here to set the tone. Drums sound amazing, hats are nice and crisp while the 808 kicks have excellent resonance. Terrific vocal performance and production, nice easy flow and great job of layering and stacking. The hook in the chorus really draws the listener in by introducing a human soul/r&b element. Lyrical subject matter is very introspective and reflective, somber but not necessarily sad. There's a great amount of gravitas lyrically that's balanced out by the beat design, which keeps it from weighing too heavily on the listener. Excellent rhyme scheme and songwriting, delivered with a clear and natural flow. All in all, it's a tremendous track that can act as a catharsis for some listeners, while others could possibly receive it on a more cautionary level. Outstanding job, all around!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Hip Hop, Rap, Contemporary Rap, Alternative Hip Hop, Indie Rap, Contemporary RnB, Alternative RnB, Drill, Trap
Artist target suggestions: Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, ScHoolboy Q, Kodak Black, Ab-Soul, J. Cole, Mos Def, Wiz Khalifa, Killer Mike, Nipsy Hustle, Chief Keef, Big K.R.I.T.
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About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers