Conic Section's newest single is "Don't Let It Get Me Down." This song is a shining example of how versatile the South Korean jazz-rock act's genre-non-conforming sound can be when accompanied by heartwrenching storytelling. The song begins with a sentiment I suspect won't be unfamiliar to many:
"I feel the blues when I wake in the morning." It's a line that
instantly resonates with anyone who has ever woken up with the weight
of the world. But as quickly as the blues come on, the chorus swooped in
with a rousing message of resilience: "Don't let it get me down." That
hopeful, defiant cry serves as the song's beacon of light, a call
to arms to not literally or figuratively give up amidst how heavy a day
might feel.
Since forming in 2010, Conic Section has occupied a rarefied corner of the music world, blending jazz and rock in surprising combinations. Their latest further cements their style; however, it tips the cap to the latter state's iconic sounds, specifically Texas blues, the great classic blues rock lineage. With the dirt of an old-school blues riff and a voice that sounds like it is wrapped in velvet, "Don't Let It Get Me Down" packs a raw, gritty punch that any of us will feel inside, no matter what.
"Don't Let It Get Me Down" is a song based around this iconic riff, a gritty and powerful guitar part that instantly catches your attention from the first few notes and sets a precedent for the rest of the song. And, as the song cycles through verses and choruses, the Hammond organ and the guitar trade high-flame solos that help the track attain a kind of depth and release. There is an ageless quality to the way the band combines blues with jazz-rock nuances, making it sound fresh and reflective at once.
Zakka Kim's unique guitar playing, Seung Kim's consistent bass lines, and Hwanho Choi's confident drumming synergize to lay the perfect canvas for Kangho Lee's emotional voice. His reading of the lyrics is both vulnerable and strong, every line resounding like a reassuring word of personal endurance and hope. With Yongbeom Kwon on keyboards, the band adds just the right amount of warmth and texture, making it impossible to ignore this song.
"Don't Let It Get Me Down" emerges from personal misfortune to make a statement about the collective human experience, the idea of oneness, love, and equality. It's a song for anyone who has gone through something challenging and come out the other side stronger. In a world where uncertainty and division seem to grow daily, the song's message couldn't be more pertinent. It's a cry to continue marching forward, take solace in the community, and trust that things will improve. Conic Section has again shown total mastery in combining huge messages with a jaw-dropping soundscape. "Don't Let It Get Me Down" is not only a song but an emotional experience that I think will resonate with and become a part of the fabric of people's hearts worldwide.
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