Dounia’s ‘G.O.A.T.’ May Land The Artist In Obscurity — EP Review

In the late 1970s, the maxi single debuted. It remained popular throughout the 1980s and continued into the 1990s. These mini albums featured 3 to 5 songs, unlike the typical single, which had two tracks: an A-side and a B-side.

The maxi single stayed focused on promoting a single song, and it offered better value to consumers. It also gained a massive following within the DJ community. Popular among the dance and disco genres, these recordings targeted very specific subcultures, which ultimately spelled their demise.

Enter the days of streaming, where musicians can now produce anywhere from one song to a billion on any given day and call it whatever they like. What many artists are now calling an Extended Play (EP) realistically looks like the former in every shape or form. A standout example is Dounia’s ‘G.O.A.T.‘

Four songs in a ten-minute runtime, with no filler in between, may seem risky to some, but it can steer an artist in the right direction without giving them extra padded airtime. The musician can get in the studio, do their thing, and not skip a beat.

It is a much sounder strategy than flooding the market with any random song just to crowd the premise. While this cohesive structure proves to be promising, the execution negates the positive possibilities.

Dounia begins this foray into the musical realm with the title track, “G.O.A.T.” A machine-like hum accompanies a pleasant beat and the artist’s trademark hypnotic vocals. This creates an almost ethereal environment in the listener’s earbuds.

Surreal and enveloping, the vibe encompasses an afternoon of smoking and drinking on the beach. While there are many complicated things building in the background, one can’t muster up the will to give a crap right at the moment.

As far as lyrics go, Dounia constructs a quasi-love song about a man who questions her authenticity in their relationship. She does her best to spell it out for him with the words, “I would risk it all just for you. I would save it all just for you, and though you never really believe me — baby, I swear: I adore you.”

It is easy to become complacent within our associations, failing to see the effort chosen partners put in and glossing over all the rich history just because it is in the past. Oftentimes, people let love fade simply because it is comfortable. Some think that because the adrenaline wore off, they have to find someone new.

Following up with the auto-tune heavy “Breakfast In Vegas,” Dounia adds unnecessary tweaks to her articulation. Overlooking the beauty in her natural voice, she gives her fans something they never asked for — artificial and contrived vocals.

With 143 songs in her pocket, one would think Dounia could comprehend the appeal her musicianship has on people, offering them a glimpse into a low-octane lifestyle and mindset. The latest trends or even the popularity of yesteryear aren’t needed here, but genuineness is.

Here, the thematic focus is convoluted at best. Mincing phrases and swapping statements in the interest of sounding complex, Dounia strikes out in painting a picture of anything of real consequence.

To call this song a flop would be an oversimplification. The terms misguided and imprudent seem more on the nose.

The next song, “Money>Men,” begins with a liturgical presence, incorporating an organ to accompany Dounia’s traditional lo-fi beats. Paired with her rhythmic and swift vocals, the aura manifests a trance-inducing state for the listener.

Rumination on the text reveals the theme of choosing fulfillment in one’s dream over a romantic commitment. “All these reckless entanglements, endangerments. Stay away from them, adequate extent. I got bigger dreams than you loving me. But just keep loving me and find out what love really means.”

While this lesson is good in theory, to keep one out of mindless relationships and empty, soulless sex, an infatuation with money can forge a path towards ruin as well. It is best to keep in mind what it says in God’s Word: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Closing out the EP, “High As Heaven” leans heavily into a self-medicinal ambiance, hinting at the holistic healing f the devil’s lettuce. The mind-altering effects of this forbidden herb have varying degrees of influence on love, life, and religion. This lets people view everyday events through a different lens.

With the dangers of addiction aside, the psychoactive state created by this substance enables the user to set aside many preconceived notions and be at peace with situations that are often debilitating. While sometimes this can be very good, other times, it can hinder the healing process. If one cannot face grief with a clear mind, how can one truly move past it?

Ranking ‘G.O.A.T.’ amongst Dounia’s other legendary recordings can prove rather difficult. A lack of catchy hooks and repetitive refrains keeps the EP from being extremely memorable. Without a standout single, it is likely this piece may fade quickly into obscurity.

Even held against her recent singles, “Breakfast In Vegas” and “High As Heaven” hold no candle to the likes of “Blackberry” and “I Like Burning Bridges.” At best, these four songs seem stagnant and irrelevant. At worst, they are B-sides to the artist’s next best thing.

Not quite a hiccup in the singer’s career, ‘G.O.A.T.’ proves to be unremarkable without being totally offensive. It is neither a cash-out nor a tour de force. Simply put, ‘G.O.A.T.’ is a minimalist arrangement and a perfunctory exercise.

What is your favorite track on ‘G.O.A.T. ‘? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

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