Conveniens – Know It Ain’t
“Know It Ain’t” by Conveniens is a fantastic piece of music from their debut 1984 album that perfectly reflects the experimental spirit of the time. The tune was reissued in 2006 and takes listeners back to a time when raw creativity and analog technology combined to create revolutionary sounds. The song begins with lo-fi drum beats and sci-fi-inspired synths that represent the feel of a vintage movie soundtrack. The basslines are an essential element, driving the rhythm with a continuous groove that supports the song while enabling the synths to take center stage. The interaction of the bass and synth produces a dynamic, almost psych progression that is nostalgic and ahead of its time. As the song progresses, the synth work takes center stage, combining elements of jazz, space rock, and electro. The minimal drumming rhythms act as a strong basis, allowing the changing synth melodies to experiment. This mix of influences provides the song a cinematic character, making it feel like an adventure through various genres of music. Around 3:28, the tempo drops, providing an atmosphere change. The synths adopt a more experimental, psychedelic tone, recalling the free-spirited creativity of 1960s psychedelia. The lo-fi production adds beauty, emphasizing the raw, unpolished enthusiasm that characterized much of the music in the early 1980s.
