JJ's Music Retaliation channels a Space Funk sound on "Do What"
One of the most fascinating and coolest things about JJ's Music Retaliation is the project's complete disregard for convention. Many artists spend their careers refining a recognizable formula, JJ seems more interested in dismantling formulas altogether and rebuilding them into something stranger and riskier, but ultimately more memorable. That fearless creative spirit is once again on full display in “Do What,” a wildly inventive track that feels like space funk beamed in from a distant galaxy.
From the outset, “Do What” establishes itself as something different. Rather than rushing toward a verse or chorus, the song embraces an unusually long instrumental introduction compared to other tracks. JJ uses that extended opening masterfully, allowing the atmosphere to develop organically before introducing the vocal performance.
The introduction unfolds like a slow-moving sci-fi landscape, filled with a looping funk guitar that gets you in the groove. There’s also an ominous quality to the arrangement, but it never becomes oppressive. Instead, it creates a sense of anticipation. Every new layer adds another piece to the puzzle, building suspense while inviting you deeper into the song's unusual world.
The synthesizers are unquestionably the stars of the show. Heavy, textured, and constantly evolving, they shape nearly every moment of the track. At times they feel futuristic and cosmic. At others, they become eerie and unsettling.
When his signature vocals finally arrive, they feel perfectly timed. The vocal performance cuts through the dense instrumentation with confidence, adding personality without disrupting the atmosphere that has already been established. As with much of JJ's work, the vocals don't simply ride atop the arrangement. They become part of the larger sonic sound, interacting with the instruments rather than competing against them.
Beneath the layers of synthesizers and experimental flourishes lies an infectious groove that keeps everything moving forward. It’s funky without being retro and experimental without doing too much. The electric guitar work deserves special praise as well. Threaded throughout the track are sharp, expressive guitar passages that add energy to the already rich song.
Like always though, there's a playful quality beneath all the experimentation, a sense that JJ is having genuine fun exploring the possibilities of sound. We know he is because with the sheer force and consistency that he releases music, he has to be! The enthusiasm becomes contagious. The song invites you to abandon expectations and simply enjoy the ride.
“Do What” may not fit neatly into traditional genre categories, but that's precisely what makes it so good. Equal parts space funk, synth-driven experimentation, and groove-heavy rock, it showcases an artist continuing to push their creative boundaries while remaining unmistakably themselves. Click those links below to listen, follow along, and stay tuned for plenty more!
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