“Burn” by ADD | OCD is an anthemic cautionary tale that doesn’t deserve to be stuck in June!
There’s something gorgeously haunting about how the acoustic guitar intro ushers in “Burn.” Then, the vocals cut in, with a bit of a spoken word sound, and just enough melody to give it a catchy vibe. The two things that may describe this track best are anthemic and slow-burning. But it also has a good bit of atmosphere. From a simple blend of acoustic guitars, the vocals enter with some soft percussion. Then, as it approaches the chorus, the vocals pack more of a punch, the percussion builds, and there’s a clash of bells and other strings, followed by some synths. It then fades back into a soft haunting instrumental before picking back up again. This track is aware of its flows, and it does well at using its low points to accentuate the high points. There’s also a really strong guitar solo that enters at 2:31, which further astounds and adds to an ever-evolving dynamic. This track doesn’t hold back musically, and it does well at delivering on the narrative of the lyrics.
In terms of lyrics, “Burn” by ADD | OCD tells the story of a person who’s overly combative and deflective. They attack others in every conversation, but they refuse to hear out the other side of the story. In doing so, this person burns things down around them, they lose connections and bridges, and they end up in isolation. The narrator of the track tries to get through to this other party, but to no avail, because they aren’t listened to. This narrative feels like a lesson, teaching others what happens when they push others away by fighting until they have nothing but isolation. Overall, it does really well at sharing this cautionary tale and capturing what it’s like being on the other end.
Written by Sage Plapp
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