F4mil7 - 47 - Review

Shane Laures
Feb 3, 2021
5 min read

Updated: Jul 23, 2024

Artist: F4mil7 (previously known as Gypse Freq Circus)

Album: 47

(released 2021)

Genre: Hybrid blend of EDM and Live Instruments

Length: 5 Tracks

(21 Min 41 Sec)

Lyrical Content:

8/10

Conscious %: 10/10

Originality: 10/10

Personal Rating:

9/10

Tempo Range:

This album starts out with a bang with the first song N3xt asking the world “what happens next?” in response to the riots and looting and general chaos that was 2020. Haunting yet beautiful violin gets interwoven with a building drum track that transforms into an epic, bass-heavy, in-your-face, dubstep-vibed chorus. As soon as the chorus is done melting your face off, you're carried away again by the dark sultry sounds of piano, violin and Laura's voice sending chilling images of the chaos all around, and asking “for a sign that tomorrow's not a waste of our time”. What happens Next? What happens Next indeed. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is

“The things that we love will be obsolete someday, The hard part is knowing the right time to throw them away.”

This one lyric contains so much wisdom as we continue to grow and evolve as human beings. We need to learn to let go of the things that no longer serve us. This first track really captures the intensity and chaos of 2020, while encouraging us to ask, what happens next?

The second musical journey of this album is called “Four Things”. Starting with a hypnotic synth and violin combo we are already mesmerized by the time Laura begins singing. Painting a picture with her words, she tells us of a storm that seems too much until a voice whispers the chorus of wisdom:

“Don't give up now, you've gotta just Love, Hustle, and Learn, and Keep Climbing, Keep Climbing.”

It's a beautiful reminder of some of the most important keys to life. The song sends us off with a question to ponder “What would you give, to let your dreams live?”, and a reminder “keep climbing, keep climbing”. What a powerful message to really embrace.

Track three, “Who Makes the Music?” contains another simple yet powerful question and reminder to us all. “Who Makes the Music?” speaks to the inner artist who wants to create and express but feels the struggle of the world pressing down on them. Laura tells us a story many of us artists can relate to. “Who makes the music? If I don't, Who will?” This lyric calls us to recognize that we have a voice and we need to be the one to express ourselves. No one can speak your truth but you. “The music” could be a metaphor for painting, poetry, writing in a journal, dance, or any other form of creative expression that you wish to do but hold yourself back from. This song has a very inspiring synth-pop vibe but as with everything they do it is done in F4mil7's own unique style.

“I have to be my best, every day is a test, And with the weight of it all I just wanna write, I just wanna say all these things inside, Punching a clock just feels like I'm letting go of the one who makes the music.”

Wow. Those lyrics really hit me because I know exactly what that feeling is like. “I was meant for so much more, to be someone who makes the music” is exactly the story we need to tell ourselves every time we have any sort of doubt.

Another dark and beautiful piano and violin combo lead us into our fourth track “Heavy”. Laura sings to us a glimpse of her thoughts and views of the world.

“So many years go by, we haven't learned a single thing, Still live with anger, still live with violence, still live with hatred, Still live with silence, why is there never peace without defeat?”

The entire first verse is calling out and questioning humanity. Why are we like this and when will we learn seems to be her underlying curiosity. When we reach the chorus “It's all so Heavy” is the perfect summation of examining the collective shadow of humanity.

“A generation scared of what we aren't and scared of what we are, And here I am, Scared to be nobody and scared to be a star, Can we be proud of who we are? Can we apologize for things done in the dark?”

This is the real truth of what humanity must face. Can we find a way to step out into the light and be proud of who we are as a race? “Speaking up makes me strong” is a gem of wisdom that might slip by you the first time you listen. “Though it's part of my story, it's not the whole picture, it's just one paragraph”. This lyric sums it up perfectly, even though things might feel heavy, it's never your full story, it's just one paragraph.

Closing out the album is an absolutely incredible cover of “Help” originally by The Beatles. F4mil7 has done what they do best and made this classic completely new and unique. We have asked what happens “N3xt”; We've learned the “Four Things” that can help us through life; We realized we are the one “Who Makes the Music”; We've acknowledged how the world can feel “Heavy”; Finally we are able to ask for “H3lp”. This song is the ribbon on top of the present F4mil7 has created for us with this album. It reminds us that it is okay to ask for help. Whenever life seems to knock you off your feet, please ask someone for help. We're all here to help each other learn and grow along the way.

Coming in at just under 21 minutes long for this 5 song album, it leaves me wanting more, without feeling disappointed by any of the songs we are given. Musically it is unique, making beautiful use of the violin and keyboard and interweaving it with elements of dubstep, EDM, guitar, and Laura's powerful voice. Lyrically it is a very real, very raw, look at life and learning to heal and expand. It is dark, emotional, mature, and powerful. I love it. Each song has a strong and beautiful message for us to unpack. Overall it tells the story of living in the uncertainty of the world right now and trying to overcome the mental health challenges present. Anyone who has ever struggled with trauma, depression, anxiety, or any other form of mental health crisis will be able to find something to relate to in this powerful album. It opens the door to acknowledging when things are heavy, asking for help, and reclaiming our voice. After all of the chaos and confusion of the pandemic and lock-down, this album feels like the perfect musical embodiment of a heartfelt response to 2020.

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