I wanted to make a point about something I think gets neglected in terms of sound design: theme is more important than complexity. Crossfire (I've linked it) is a striking song to me not just because of how beautiful the songwriting is alone (it's amazing), but the sheer amount of effort that went into making every minuscule sound in the song fit the theme of the song. If you haven't heard or analyzed the song before, I've linked it, but the primary message is that the people who are caught in war (soldiers, mothers, children) on any side of any conflict are the victims of larger powers (governments, evil men, etc.). This point is driven home by EVERY single sound in the song. I'll go through the most notable features to me.
-The primary kicks and snares are stomps and claps- signifying the voice of the common people without access to equipment. Every second snare features a glass breaking sound, a common wartime occurrence. -The background track to the song is of rain, thunder, distant gunfire and ambulances/sirens. -The song opens on tense heavy breathing (as though someone is hiding and scared) and an ominous LFOed pad that set the stage for the tense nature of the song. -The build/riser synth leading into the verse sounds like a ticking time bomb, getting closer and faster. Another interpretation is that it sounds like a radar scanner, very thematic either way. -A second riser before the chorus features the revving of a loud car engine, another evocative wartime sound. -My personal favorite part of the song: the 4 eighth note electric guitar chugs sound like a burst of angry gunfire. -The only ad-lib featured in the track is a military style yell. -The predrop features Stephen's voice being abruptly silenced - symbolizing the people who die "caught in the crossfire". -The drop vocal melody is sung by women and children, and later by gospel singers, emphasizing the people Stephen believes are hurt most during wartime.
There's plenty more to this song, these are just a few points. It's one of my personal favorite songs to study though. None of the sound design is particularly complicated, but every choice serves to accentuate the point of the song. What I think there is to be learned from this song is that sound design is a means to an end: your sounds should be selected to add overall value to your track, and, if you have a message or a theme for your track, even simple sounds can supplement that message. Anyway, hope this rant gets you thinking! -Orenda/Zach Song Link: https://youtu.be/eH4F1Tdb040
Submitted October 11, 2017 at 09:42PM by Orendamusic https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/comments/75th42/sound_design_analysis_crossfire_by_stephen/?utm_source=ifttt
Javier Rodriguez
Wednesday, October 11, 2017