By Deuce

Some artists maintain a social conviction in their work, and an accompanying sense of urgency, that simply supersedes that of others. Dancing, partying, and falling in and out of love are timeless topics, of course. But they leave a realm of unexplored subject matter, pertaining to pressing social conditions that oftentimes go unspoken, lost from what becomes popular music.

Had Moez Masoud read these words prior to laying down “Here to Stay”, which was unveiled at the end of the last year, there’s likely not a blessed thing he would have done differently in this recording. Granted, the acoustic guitar that starts the tune and provides some of its better moments is as worthy of listening to as any one ever was.

Moreover, there’s somebody freaking what could be high-pitched synth sounds, or perhaps keyboards, that are waaay to trill and make that guitar, and the track itself, a haunting, floating piece of craftsmanship.

But there’s no mistaking the triumph of the lyrics in this number, nor their place at the fore of the song’s elements as the most preeminent aspect of the cut. Sometimes, Masoud is telling a silent audience (which is likely cowering in the corner after the heaping condemnations he lavishes upon them) lines like, “You’ve forgotten what it means to be human.” Other time, he’s putting out aphorisms like “the blood on your hands won’t wash away/ even after I die”. Other parts of verses are simply poignant reminders that “you can’t play the victim forever, you know.”

But it’s the cogency of the lyrics that make this number stand out, and give the thoughtful listener pause for global, national, or even provincial occurrences that are far too imminent to lose any ground to love, or dope, or heartache.

Still, no one can ignore the remaining instrumentation that adorns these lyrics. There’s some live drumming that’s all but pregnant and staid in parts and emotional and evocative in others. Plus, someone’s going to town on the keys during the hook, playing in time to the pulsating gyrations of the bass that seemingly thunder with, could that be, disapproval? Regardless, this is the sort of thoughtful music, and lyrical content, which is oftentimes sorely lacking on contemporary playlists.