Qveen Herby is taking TikTok by storm. The artist made her debut on the app in April, but really began to see success in October when she began posting clips of her upcoming music. Her first release since her new-found fame, “The Show,” will certainly catch your attention. Think you know everything about the music industry? Think again. Welcome to the show.
THE SOUND:
Qveen Herby keeps the sound of "The Show" relatively simple to focus on her message. The song begins with a snare-heavy beat as Qveen Herby’s layered harmonies pull in the first hook. Robotic, yet harmonious, she invites listeners into the song with her catchy and tantalizing sound. A harp-like melody faintly plays behind the track, tying the sound together.
The robotic, layered chorus is Herby's way of commenting on the lack of individuality in the music industry. Artists are competing for listeners' attention, trying every new trend to get into the public eye. But Herby continues, breaking from the robotic mold. The beat and melody sit under her verses and lay the groundwork.
To juxtapose that at the end of the track, her ad libs send the listeners a message: She’s different. She’s ready to make her big debut as an artist, but not without first calling out the industry at large. And we're ready to listen to everything she will put out. Though the sound is a little basic, we're rating this a 7/10 on the Intersect 1-10 rating scale.
THE SINGING:
Because Herby wants us to focus on the lyrics, she kept the vocals simple, yet stunning. Even though they may lack some flair, she’s still able to sound jestful. As she’s exposing the secrets of the industry, her voice seems to be teasing people. The melody features both monotone singing and short scales, playing into Herby’s jestfulness. The scales feel like she’s poking listeners and haters, forcing them to pay attention, because she’s right. While most artists might let the melody help convey emotions, Herby is taking a more Broadway approach. You can hear the snarky tones in her voice as she relays some advice and tells stories from the industry. As Herby is both a rapper and a singer, we were disappointed, missing the rapping in this track. But that doesn't mean she didn't still bring the heat and for that, we rate this an 8/10 on the Intersect 1-10 rating scale.
THE ART BEHIND THE ALBUM:
Qveen Herby is no stranger to the music world. Before she was Qveen Herby, she was a part of Karmin, whose last album came out in 2016. She debuted as a solo artist in 2018 and since then she’s been releasing various EPs and singles. It was only when she took to Tik Tok to show off some of her music that she really took off. As she’s regaining her former Karmin hype, "The Show" uses her platform to criticize the industry that she's devoted her life to. Ironically, this might be her most popular song to date.
Herby comments on the demands made of her to boost her success, by referencing Scooter Braun and her past music experience with Karmin. The track's second verse is the most poignant as it briefly tackles body image in the media. It isn’t uncommon for artists to change their looks or style to fit the trends of the moment. Herby sings, “maybe just consider the implants.” She goes on to imply that without changing your look, it can be impossible to gain the public’s affection. Referencing the last line, she continues, “if you don’t that’s alright, it didn’t sell but we tried.” With insight into the end of her career as 1/2 of Karmin, listeners gain confidence that Qveen Herby is staying for good. She's confident in her decisions to remain herself. Truthfully, she won’t need to change to adapt to the public eye. Her uniqueness shines through her music and will appeal to everyone. Her playful attempt at tackling a bold subject makes us rate the artistry a 9/10 on the Intersect 1-10 rating scale.
Although it isn't uncommon for artists to call out the machines that represent them, we appreciate Herby's approach. Overall, the single receives an 8/10 on the Intersect 1-10 rating scale. Listen to "The Show" below and let us know what you think.
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