Labrinth

Question 1

What are features commonly found in Labrinth’s melodies?

Answer 1

• generally uses simple diatonic melodies with regular phrasing
• typically, text setting is mostly syllabic, using mostly stepwise motion with occasional leaps
• occasional use of more extensive melisma which reflects soul/gospel influence and suggests stronger emotions
• strong hooks used in choruses often with larger leaps than verses
• riffs and ostinatos sometimes used
• use of slides/ pitch bending

Question 2

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s harmonies?

Answer 2

• generally relies on diatonic triads, with some use of 7ths- simple, direct emotional effect
• more complex chords such as sus4s, added 6t, secondary dominants and diminished 7ths sometimes used often at moments of climax or intensity

Question 3

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s tonality?

Answer 3

• most songs are clearly major or minor and emphasise tonic/dominant chords to confirm tonality
• pentatonic scales are sometimes used in melodies
• songs in minor keys often mix Aelian mode and raised leading notes
• often songs stay in one key throughout, but modulations sometimes used

Question 4

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s structure?

Answer 4

• usually relies on conventional verse-chorus structures - many songs have very similar forms
• additional sections include: intro/outro, bridge/ middle eight and instrumental

Question 5

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s sonority?

Answer 5

• mixture of electrical timbres and more conventional acoustic instrumentation
• some songs mostly acoustic or electric, while others create contrasts between different types of instrument
• use of electronically programmed drums suggests influence of hip-hop and electronic dance music
• use of different vocal techniques - belting, falsetto and rapping
• electronic effects used to alter timbres, eg. filters, reverb, delay, pitch shifting and distortion

Question 6

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s texture?

Answer 6

• generally melody and accompaniment, with textures built up through the layering of different loops and addition/removal of instruments - reflects electronic music style
• sometimes melodies are doubled by instruments or additional voices
• countermelodies and backing vocals used to create polyphony
• a cappella texture used in earthquake bridge for more subdued mood

Question 7

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s tempo, metre and rhythm?

Answer 7

• use of a variety of tempos, from fast to slow ballad
• constant tempos reflect hip-hop dance music influence
• generally uses simple 4/4 groove with a strong backbeat
• lack of drums in ‘jealous’ allows use of rubato - reflects sad mood of the song
• rhythms often relatively simple, but can feature syncopation and irregular groupings

Question 8

What are some features commonly found in Labrinth’s dynamics and articulation?

Answer 8

• variety of dynamic levels used
• dynamic contrasts between verses and choruses are common
• instrumentation also varied to alter dynamics - sue of filters also can suggest different dynamics
• variety of staccato and legato articulation used