WillB’s remix of Frank Ocean’s Novacane captures the ephemeral, drugged-out confidence of the original while taking the narrative to the next level. It feels as though the remix amplifies the emotions of the original by putting the vibe of the song in its natural context, the club.
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The track opens with a powerful drum rhythm that immediately captures attention. The subtle synths hint at the track to come but as a fan of Frank myself, I probably would not have realised it was a Novacane cover until the high register trills reveal the counter melody at the core of the song’s identity. Frank’s vocals cut through the mix which is noticeably busier than the original. The bold confidence of the drums juxtaposes the intricacies of his voice. That contrast elevates each element individually. This mix of softness and bold confidence also mirrors the song’s themes of falling into an uncertain relationship with new drugs and a new person at the same time. On top of the new rhythmic elements, there is a seething synth that adds depth to the track’s sound. This richness contributes to the song’s tapestry, providing it with the bold energy required for a club banger like this. The track manipulates the classic melody, morphing and distorting it, adding to the psychedelic energy. Something about the hypnotic repetition of the rhythm gives the remix a sense of the numbness related to the song’s narrative. It feels as if WillB understands the themes at the core of the song and builds upon them with a sense of respect for the original but also a vision of what this track could be.
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