Hibshi - Cold Beer (Track Teardown)

Track Information

Name: Cold Beer by Hibshi

Label: None

Format: File, MP3, Single, 320kbps

Country: Sri Lanka

Release Date: 9th June 2017

Genre: Electronic

Style: Future Bass

Listen to the track below!

Background

'Cold Beer' is a future bass track produced and released by a Sri Lankan DJ/Producer known as Hibshi in 2017. Considering the track's surprisingly large popularity, it quickly became one of his featured tracks. One of the main key aspects to a Hibshi track is his incredible ability to chop and manipulate vocals.

Funnily enough, future bass is actually a sub genre of a sub genre of electronic music known as Trap music. Over the last year, Trap has grown rapidly popular in the electronic music industry and is still growing to this day. However, certain electronic artists such as Flume and The Chainsmokers grew tired of the generic trap sound and decided to take it in a different direction. Whilst still staying relatively close to the same rhythmic style, the synths of these tracks especially have changed to create a more emotional or 'vibey' sort of atmosphere.

Unlike most trap and future bass tracks however, this track doesn't lean so much in the head banging, dance floor vibes direction. More so, its more of a song that focuses mainly on the lyrics and the story they're trying to tell throughout the track. The lyrics read as follows:

Pulled you close on the pavements

Didn't care when we were then

Lips glued to your face

When did we fall apart?

Doing shots in the basements

Staying up getting wasted

Gone too soon are the days when

We were one at heart

We're trying trying trying trying

Not to lose our minds

But we're running running running running

Running out of time

Baby, pour me Another glass of cold beer

Make me laugh with a story

I just want you to myself

So kiss me slowly

And say you miss the old me

Before we both get cold feet

Tonight, lets be ourselves

Tonight, lets be ourselves

Spraying walls with our first names

Skipping class on your birthday

We found trouble like is worth it

Did we fall apart?

From being in love since first day

To bitter fights in the worst ways

We had it damn near perfect

'Til we messed up

We're trying trying trying trying

Not to lose our minds

But we're running running running running

Running out of time

Baby, pour me Another glass of cold beer

Make me laugh with a story

I just want you to myself

So kiss me slowly

And say you miss the old me

Before we both get cold feet

Tonight, lets be ourselves

Tonight, lets be ourselves

I just want you to myself

I don't need nobody else

Oooh, i just want you to myself

Tonight, lets be ourselves

Baby, pour me

Another glass of cold beer

Make me laugh with a story

I just want you to myself

So kiss me slowly

And say you miss the old me

Before we both get cold feet

Tonight, lets be ourselves

Tonight, lets be ourselves

Unlike your usual run of the mill electronic track, this is actually a song with a full structure and very deep lyrics. In this case, the electronic elements in the track simply add to and emphasise the story.

Arrangement

Please note: Considering the many elements in this track, the screenshot is quite large and seems to make the track labels very small.

As stated earlier, this track focuses mainly on the vocals and story of the song and uses to electronic elements to assist in this. Considering this, large amounts of electronic layers such as synths aren't really that necessary with the exception of the drop.

The song begins with a short intro of around 8 bars, which consists of guitar plucks, piano chords and vocal chops (which I forgot to list in the screenshot above :/ ). This section then ends with a reverse symbol and immediately transitions into the first verse where the kick and percussion comes in. This continues until the pre-chorus begins the snare then joins into the mix. The piano chords and guitar plucks continue all the way through to the chorus where everything stops with an small impact and the synth stabs take over. Shortly after this, a new percussion loop joins along with the bass which begins to lead the song into the drop assisted by a white noise riser. The riser then leads the build up into a tom fill accompanied the vocals which the drop then takes over from.

The drop is where the all famous Hibshi vocal chops join in assisted by multiple synth layers, a new kick and snare and the bass. The drop to this track is rather unusual as its not dominated by the synth. Alternatively, the synth layers simply assist as the vocal chops, kick and snare fill out most of this section, this gives the drop that classic trap feel whilst also still being relatively light and funky. You may not be able to see it in the diagram above as the text is rather small but I have listed a very small sample in the centre of the drop known as the 'rubber duck sample'. This is listed as the last track in the screenshot and I listed it under that name as thats what I interpreted it as. I'm actually not overly sure what official sound or sample is myself. This sample only appears three times throughout the song and it always appears periodically in the centre of each drop. Not much attention is payed to this sample as it is rather short and is really only used to give a quick pause effect to the centre of drop to create an impact for the last half. To end the drop, a 'wubby' style synth enters for approximately a bar, this is used to create an impact to immediately begin the second verse.

The second verse has the exact same structure as the first one, the real difference being in the pre-chorus where multiple harmony layers join in on the vocals. The chorus, build-up and drop is also exactly the same the second time around as well, the only thing that truly changes is the bridge and third chorus of the song. The bridge is rather short consisting of vocals, filtered vocal cops and piano chords. The lyrics for this section have also been simplified, consisting of 3 lines - "I just want you to myself" (from the chorus) repeated on seperate lines, "I don't need nobody else" and 'tonight lets be ourselves' (also from the chorus). The bridge then ends and leads out into the final chorus.

The final chorus has the same structure as the other two choruses with a few additions such as the kick and backing vocals. These are simply added to give the track its final climax towards its last drop, which also has backing vocals in it for the first half. The second half of the drop remains with the same structure as the others to make the song easier to end. The song finally ends with everything cutting out and leaving the last bar of the vocal chops, exposing the reverb to give a nice tail finish.

instrument breakdown

Substantive

The substantive elements shown throughout 'Cold Beer' are as follows:

• Lead Vocals

• Piano Chords

• Guitar Plucks

First and foremost, the guitar plucks and piano chords are what serve as the main routes of this track. When everything stops in the song, there is always one, if not both of these elements running. They're what give the song its first impression to the listener as well as serving as the overall mood setters of the song.

Obviously, the lead vocals are also a key element in this track as without them, we would have no story. Furthermore, they're what give the overall structure to the song by breaking it down into sections such as the verse, pre-chorus and chorus. They're also incredibly useful for showcasing the vocalist and what she can bring to song in terms of emotion.

ornamental

The ornamental elements showcased in 'Cold Beer' are as follows:

• Percussion

• Drum rhythm

• Vocal Chops

• FX

• Backing vocals

• Sub-Bass

The percussion to this track is a very important element however, just like all of the other ornamental elements, it serves as a support for the main feature, the vocals.

Just like any iconic electronic track the drum rhythm is a very important element. The drums in this track consist of 2 different kicks and snares, as well as hi-hats (most likely electrified samples).

Vocal chops have always been an iconic element in all of Hibshi's tracks as they showcase his main talents and overall style.

The FX in this track are rather simple in terms of audio effects as there is just a simple reverb of the vocals, backing vocals and vocal chops as well as the percussion. However, when stepping outside of this, there are multiple risers throughout the track which can technically be classed under the FX/atmospheric effects section as well.

Although the backing vocals only make an appearance towards the end of the song, they are still a rather important aspect to the song as they give a sense of true climax and an indication that the song is coming to a close.

The sub bass in this track is nice as it isn't too overbearing and is simply used as an element to fill out the track and give it a little more body in certain areas like the pre-chorus, chorus and drop.

summary

Overall, 'Cold Beer' is a beautiful song which has been very well mixed and crafted to tell a certain story and give a specific feel. Furthermore, the lyrics are also very relatable to certain listeners which is an incredible benefit for Hibshi and his growth as a producer. Even though the song is concluded very well, it still leaves the listener left wanting more and more every time!

works cited

- Turner, D, 2017, 'Future Bass: Get Familiar With EDM's Sound Of 2017', Last Date Viewed: 10/3/18 -> https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/future-bass-get-familiar-with-edms-sound-of-2017-w466963