I was pretty harsh on Cortis’s debut-era music, but the truth is most of those songs have grown on me. I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to them, but I understand the overall appeal. And with last month’s REDRED, the group tiptoed into a sound that could prove quite unique and compelling, only to tiptoe back out of it on this new EP.
With last week’s TNT and now Acai, the group have done something even worse than being obnoxious troublemakers: they’ve delivered boring retreads. The problem with labeling your music as “disruptive” is that by definition disruption only lasts for a short period before it’s absorbed, watered down and made profitable. On a song like Acai, Cortis attempt to repeat what worked in the past but they’ve left the hooks behind in favor of tuneless sludge. That’s why — even for “disrupters” — a certain level of timeless songcraft remains vital.
The acai berry is known to be a densely nutritious superfood, both delicious and great for you. Acai the song leaves a foul taste in your mouth and stumbles over its same repeated phrases so many times that its three minutes feel endless. As usual, the members’ vocals are smothered in effects — as if they’ve used one those voice-disguising apps. Maybe for the next single they should fire up VoiceChanger+ from the iTunes store and use the “robot” filter. Or better yet… the “zombie” one! That would be good for a cheap laugh, which seems to be the only thing a track like this is aiming for anyway.
Hooks
4
Production
4
Longevity
4
Bias
3
RATING
3.75