Collin Sherman – Force Beyond Control
According to the artist, “Force Beyond Control” is a political statement reflecting the current situation in the United States. Musically, the track begins with nostalgic, 1970s-inspired jazz sounds that create a pleasant and warm atmosphere. As the vocals enter, the song takes on a poetic and emotional tone characteristic of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan’s narrative styles. The vocal performance is narrative-centric, almost like spoken poetry set to music, and the musical accompaniment, which includes contrabass and light jazz elements, supports this cinematic storytelling style. Despite the relaxing and nostalgic orchestral background, the lyrics make a sharp contrast by addressing current political tensions. This contrast of peaceful music and critical tone contributes to the track’s depth of meaning, allowing listeners to “meditate” while remaining musically engaged. Around the 4:00 mark, the composition takes a more minimalist and experimental turn, characteristic of Philip Glass. The vocal takes center stage here, with the surrounding music taking on a psychedelic, avant-garde orientation. Around 6:10, the jazz sounds return, closing off the tune and continuing its experimental, cross-genre adventure. Overall, “Force Beyond Control” is a cinematic and interesting work that combines jazz, spoken-word influences, and avant-garde experimentation to create a musical and intellectual experience.
