Vursatyl – Queen City Sounds and Art

NeonBrown_Maintain1_lg — Neon Brown, photo courtesy the artist

Neon Brown’s new video for “Maintain” pairs the song’s powerful poetry with images of how America portrays blacks Americans in its cultural products and official history. With vocals and lyrics from Vursatyl of Livesavas and instrumentals from deejay Red C, Neon Brown has brought to us a vivid critique as commentary on how black people in America have had to, yes, maintain in the face of prejudice and injustice fueled by generational racism. Showing images of black leaders throughout history since the 1920s as well as the forces arrayed against them and scenes from everyday life in colored filters and processing to give the video a fascinating mix of animation and old news serials. The flutter of melody, sketches of strings and Vursatyl’s thoughtful and confident rapping don’t sugarcoat the message, but make it easier to take in so that the impact gets past any immediate defenses someone might have in order to deliver some truth as a reminder that although the struggle continues, maintaining grace and patience even as one must act to address issues leaves one with a flexibility of mind to adapt rather than compromise oneself foolishly. The use of the cinematic space alien observing humanity was a nice touch perhaps symbolic of how stepping out of yourself now and then to get some objectivity always helps while bringing in the image of Rodan suggests a hope that exists beyond the powers of humanity to control or fully comprehend. Both, also, work as absolute works of creativity and as with the rest of the song and execution of the video highlight how one’s imagination is a powerful tool to weather the static of an unenlightened society and work toward a better world. Watch the video for “Maintain” on YouTube and connect with Neon Brown at the links provided. Currently on the Bandcamp page you can order a limited edition seven inch of the single backed with the track “The Light Goes Out.”