PINEO & LOEB’s latest single “Feel It” hit the public last weekend via Westwood Recording. This feel-good summer track featuring Halifax guitarist Sparkee is the result of a long line of videos and tracks in the wake of Sparkee’s interactions with EDM superstar Joel Zimmerman (better known by his stage name deadmau5).
After the guitarist created a remix of deadmau5’s iconic “Strobe,” Zimmerman listened to it in a live stream video, expressing his delight with the remix. He did, however, remark that the bassline in the track was “impossible to play,” and so must have been programmed.
This led to a YouTuber by the name of Davie504 to upload a video of him playing the very bassline that Zimmerman had claimed was impossible to play. The video has since garnered over 6 million views and spurred a YouTube challenge that has other participants attempting to play Sparkee’s “impossible bassline.”
This inspired Sparkee to reach out to PINEO & LOEB with an idea that would come to be “Feel It.” Together, they released a version that not only included another “impossible bassline,” but also a sound clip from Zimmerman’s original live stream that has the world-famous producer praising Sparkee by name and his accoutrements.
Starting with the aforementioned bassline, the track slowly adds the enticing pluck of guitar strings before vocals come along to tell us that they can feel something in their bones.
Listeners won’t have to wait long for the drop, as it hits the eardrums at around the 32-second mark. It keeps all the sounds we’re used to while also adding a thumping drum beat, energy-ridden synths, and a minimalist piano piece. This all makes for a track that most will feel an urge, nay, a responsibility, to play at pool parties.
After the drop, we go back to the original sounds along with the newfound drum beat and are introduced to a more suave, Vocaloid-esque version of the lyrics that greeted us. Following is the lyrical piece yet again, but this time with significantly more energy and an echo effect.
After the second drop, the song builds again right from the beginning, giving auditory flashbacks of all the sounds we’ve become acquainted with up to now as it prepares for the grand finale. Just as the song is about to drop one last time, we’re surprised by Zimmerman’s voice clip praising Sparkee before getting into the dance track’s conclusion.
And what a conclusion it is. On top of the drop we’ve heard twice before, this final drop adds in a loud electric guitar solo that immediately catches listeners by surprise (unless one reads this review before listening to the track, in which case the surprise factor is vanquished, but the quality of the riff remains), and is guaranteed to have them grooving.
Tagged on the end is yet another Zimmerman voice clip, presenting “this bassline is impossible to play” as the ultimate form of irony.
If you’re looking for an excellent feel-good summer track or just something to dance to, look no further than what these Halifax lads have churned out. “Feel It” is sure to bring all the positive vibes this season, whether deadmau5 thinks it’s possible or not.