Permanently Confused Captures Homely Easy Listening Ease

Permanently Confused by UTE LEMPER is an easy-listening Jazz track that mixes its light and breezy sonic influences with the key themes of time moving on and growing as a parent with your children. The video uses these sped-up moments throughout, satirically poking fun at the speed at which kids grow and change as they move through the world.

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The easy-listening jazz influences begin with the foundational piano melody that ebbs and flows through beautiful jazz tension and resolution. It leads the listener through the ups and downs of the melody, keeping us on our toes but never withholding the resolution. This swing back and forth of tension and ease makes this track so inherently listenable. The drumming is slow and hisses through the composition instead of punching through the rhythm assertively. The drums add as much texture to the mix as they do rhythmic foundation. This subtle and loose approach to the drumming also aids in providing that easy listening Jazz experience. They have carefully crafted the sound to make it feel effortless. 

The vocals are a strong point. They use bold and bright harmonies that elevate the emotional delivery. The vocals match the light and breezy vibe of the instrumental, communicating the theme while also feeling aware of the moment and actively reacting to the instrumental. The push and pull of the piano melody feels extended to how the vocals interact with the melody overall. 

I don’t tend to cover the videos in music reviews, but this feels like a crucial part of the narrative. The track utilises lots of personal, home videos of family, again connecting us to the themes of kids growing up and changing quickly but also leaning into the ease of the track. It feels at home and comfortable. This footage of a family interacting at home feels relevant to the track’s homely sound.