Dean Blunt (Ft. Panda Bear, Vegyn) – “DOWNER”

Dean Blunt is back at it and on the hustle again! (But like, when is he NOT?!) My fixation over Dean Blunt began when I was introduced to some of his earlier work, which also opened a treasure trove of amazing British artists I became maybe a bit (AHEM!), low key obsessed with – think Bar Italia, King Krule, TYSON, and Danish musician Elias Ronnenfelt who duos up with Mr. Blunt on one of my favorite tracks produced by him called Smile Please.

Dean Blunt really started circulating when he came in hard with his 2020 release, ZUSHI. Featuring already dubbed iconic artists such as A$AP Rocky and Mica Levi, it was no doubt a release that gained high awareness with so much edge and diversity, left Blunt’s audience hooked! Personally, I was very hyped to say that amongst an album with reputable artists like A$AP and Houston’s Sauce Walka, the mashup of the album that pulled my little heartstrings the most were his duos with Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) of Animal Collective.

After such success from ZUSHI, to say I’d be totally surprised to learn Dean Blunt and Panda Bear have been making moves behind the scenes again would be a complete and total understatement. After such a monumental response from the tracks in ZUSHI, Blunt, Panda, and London based producer Vegyn have teamed up for another teaser to toss our way called DOWNER.

The first few seconds into the song is SO Dean Blunt. It gives me those instant chills I’m used to getting from such stark, deep, and can I say well… blunt guitar intros that just grab you by the hold and leave you fiend-ing for more. It’s a beautiful intro that flawlessly leads you to the soft vocals and thermionic spark Noah Lennox has gracefully and so iconically asserted for himself. As mentioned, the song is called DOWNER and Lennox chants “can I be forgotten.. don’t let me go, don’t let me go my friend, don’t let me go again…” such subtlety to be interpreted in so many ways by the audience, one can’t not take it to heart and appreciate it. Meanwhile, all while being balanced out, smoothened out, and ultimately ended out with those signature, Dean Blunt guitar riffs he uses to see inside your soul. Phenomenal work. I’ve really been into songs composed under this similar style as of late; rich, deep instrumentals with minimal, somewhat angelic-like vocals that leave the listener lost in beautiful thought of interpretation. This one is one for the books, and for all the feels. Check it out below if you haven’t already!