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let's talk about black swan and auto-tune in case anyone wants to hate
for some reason--probably partially imparted by taste and partially imparted by the heavyhanded nature of radio overplay--many listeners gawk at the sight of auto-tune. they think it's a crutch, a gimmick, a joke. and it can be. its original intended purpose is to fix notes.
but as demonstrated by t-pain, a multi-platinum singer-songwriter with a beautiful voice and a plethora of significant radio hits, auto-tune can work best as a vocal effect which roboticizes the voice and its manipulation of notes
this has similar effect in the rapper future's music, wherein auto-tune is employed even when he is not trying to relay a melody. the effect it has is in "drowning" his voice in effects, making it unseemly. this relays future's themes of drug dependency, maniacal thoughts, etc.
when BTS steps into the space of auto-tune, it's not for lack of vocal capacity. they are all strong singers. their vocal line has shown time and time again the ability to sing well live without any effects added. they use auto-tune as an effect, not as a crutch.
how does this come to light in "black swan"?
examine the themes of the song: a loss of one's distinctive voice, a loss of one's passion for the artform that defines theme.
examine the themes of the album (so far): the number 7 representing all 7 members, the pressures of fame.
examine the themes of the song: a loss of one's distinctive voice, a loss of one's passion for the artform that defines theme.
examine the themes of the album (so far): the number 7 representing all 7 members, the pressures of fame.
auto-tune is being used as an effect to:
1. make BTS' voices less distinguishable from one another.
2. make BTS' voices more robotic and manipulated.
3. make BTS' voices fit a contemporary pop-rap music stylization.
1. make BTS' voices less distinguishable from one another.
2. make BTS' voices more robotic and manipulated.
3. make BTS' voices fit a contemporary pop-rap music stylization.
why make BTS' unique voices less distinguishable?
it can be to relay that the members' togetherness is their most important quality--the quality that they wish to put across the most. that, in "black swan," they are one united, combined voice--not a group of separate stars.
it can be to relay that the members' togetherness is their most important quality--the quality that they wish to put across the most. that, in "black swan," they are one united, combined voice--not a group of separate stars.
why make BTS' voices more robotic?
it can be to relay the message of one's passion becoming manipulated, to the point wherein it is difficult to identify, difficult to say it's the same as the individualistic, expressive experience it once was.
it can be to relay the message of one's passion becoming manipulated, to the point wherein it is difficult to identify, difficult to say it's the same as the individualistic, expressive experience it once was.
in addition, the vocal ripples created by auto-tune, which are caused by rapid, unsmoothed pitch shifting, resemble a bubbling one might create under water. this can give the listeners the impression of a "drowning" effect--as if vocals are "underwater."
this feeling of being submerged underwater feels consistent with the idea of being under pressure, a theme communicated both in this song and its predecessor, "interlude: shadow," which also makes use of auto-tune. the feeling of "drowning" suggests an inescapable doom.
finally, the employment of auto-tune is consistent with contemporary pop-rap--popular rappers from (especially) travis scott to the late juice wrld (a BTS collaborator) have famously created similar combinations of melodic, dark trap-flavored beats and emotive auto-tuned vocals.
what BTS have done here is extraordinary; they've made use of popular musical elements, which have ultimately created what will be a highly popular song, but done so in a way that works with the song's theme. the auto-tune conveys the drowned out dystopian nature of "black swan."
when you hear things in music that are jarring, do not run away. jarring elements are part of what make music special--in making you uncomfortable, they make you think and process emotions in new ways. to simply make a perfectly vibey, "proper" song is easy and unremarkable.
do not ever assume off rip that the elements in BTS' music exist merely to exist--that they were not first carefully processed, thought through and included to properly transmit a sonic experience. to do so shows your lack of faith and understanding of the group's intent.
written by @elliotsang cranky and emotional at 6 in the morning. black swan is good
