Example - Playing In The Shadows
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 7:51PM 
Five years ago, Example was an incredibly witty Hip-Hop artist who was signed to Mike Skinner's record label (The Beats) and used to performing to a couple of hundred teenage boys who knew every word to every song from his debut album, What We Made (me included). Now, in 2011, he has become one of the biggest Dance/Pop acts in the country, is headlining some of the world's most prestigious festivals and selling out headline arena tours with one of best live shows you are ever likely to see. The transition started back in 2009 with Watch The Sun Come Up, and continued with the release of Won't Go Quietly last year, but Playing In The Shadows sees Example find his true sound and the music that he was destined to make.
One of the things that is clear from the outset is that Example has stuck to a similar format to that of Won't Go Quietly - Skies Don't Lie is basically a 2011 version of From Space, with some fierce bars leading up to a euphoric chorus, before dropping into a bass heavy Funkagenda produced electro beat; as with From Space, this is now used as the opening track in his set. Stay Awake and Changed The Way You Kiss Me then follow, and it's pleasing to hear that they both fit in perfectly with the rest of the album - as I've said before, it's the sign of a great release when the singles flow in perfect harmony with the album tracks and the album tracks sound like they could all be singles. The Way is a little progressive house number that was created during Example's time as the support act for Faithless towards the back end of last year - I wasn't sure what to think of it after the first listen, but after seeing it live and listening to the lyrics closely, it is a simply brilliant piece of music. This leads perfectly onto the piano-driven Natural Disaster, which is going to be Laidback Luke's first single on Ministry Of Sound, but was originally made for and has thankfully remained on Playing In The Shadows - this is a track that has Ibiza written all over it and has one of the most catchy hooks/choruses that he has created to date. Another track that has had a long journey before making the album is Never Had A Day, which is produced by Sheldrake & DC Breaks - heard a very rough version of this back in 2010, but it's progressed a ridiculous amount as a song and is without doubt one of my favourites on the album. Example's vocals sound like you've never heard them before, the lyrics are incredibly easy to relate to, and who knew you could have a Drum & Bass influenced love song?! Microphone is up next, and is one song that I've been looking forward to hearing for a long time after being told the concept - it didn't disappoint. A very cleverly structured track, with some laid back drum-heavy production from the Brookes Brothers and a chorus that sounds like the best Take That chorus of all-time.
Example then calls on his long term pals Chase & Status to provide a grinding and haunting Dubstep beat for the album's title track, which compliments his singing vocals perfectly - musically these three have always been on the same wavelength and magic is usually produced when they get together; this is no exception. Midnight Run is the perfect example of Elliot's diverse and extensive musical knowledge as he sings over an uplifting electro number from Mau5trap signee Feed Me, who is by no means a commercially successful producer. He is someone who has gained huge underground recognition after the release of numerous top quality EPs over the past two years and provides the perfect sound for another track about questioning oneself and your relationship late at night, which is something that we have all done in the past. We then move onto the two craziest tracks on the album, which are produced by Skream and Tom Neville & Brookes Brothers, and are two of the early favourites for me. Under The Influence is nothing short of monstrous and finds Example spitting some of his hardest lyrics over one of the heaviest Skream beats to date - Shot Yourself In The Foot Again was massive, but this is up another level from that, and it would be amazing to see it released as the next single. Wrong In The Head is a track about staying out far too late, leaving your missus at home and ending up all alone on the long walk back, which is something that most men can definitely relate to - hopefully this will be in the new set, because I can imagine sending people absolutely mental. Anything is the final track on the album and is a throwback to the type of music that Example was making during his time on The Beats, but lyrically is a million miles ahead - it's a heart-wrenching Hip-Hop infused love song produced by Dirty South and is the perfect way to wrap up a truly brilliant album.
What We Made will always be a UK Hip-Hop classic in my eyes, Won't Go Quietly was a great album, but Playing In The Shadows is without doubt the best piece of music Example has ever written - he has described the album as 'grungier and darker' than WGQ, and that's exactly what it is. I usually have a problem with multi-producer albums, especially when every track is produced by someone different, but the fact that Example sings and raps every lyric on the album makes for an incredibly cohesive listen. The eclectic selection of the best producers from a wide range of Electronic sub-genres, including House, Dubstep & Drum & Bass also make this a very special release. Granted he isn't the best singer in the world, or the best rapper in the world, but he is one of the most talented songwriters around, has a unique vocal tone that has allowed him to create a sound that can be compared to no-one else, and has every chance of becoming the sound of our generation. Below are snippets of two of my favourite tracks from the album (Under The Influence and Never Had A Day), and you can find all the pre-order links you need below. All-in-all, this is one of the best albums of 2011 and just keeps getting better and better with every listen.
Playing In The Shadows: September 4th (Digital) & 5th (Physical)
Stay Awake: OUT NOW!
Track-by-Track Album Interview: SUBSCRIBE!
Dance, Electronic, Example, Review
Reader Comments (2)
I liked your review, but I have to disagree! I didn't think Playing in the Shadows was Examples' best work... personally, I enjoyed 'Won't go quietly' and his old mixtapes... I was underwhelmed with PITS and thought Elliot should stick to fast beats... he doesn't suit slow 'melodies' in my opinion. Excellent review, though...
Great review however i wouldn't go for under the infuluence and never had a day as my favorite tracks for me they were the weakest, skies don't lie, wrong in the head, microphone and lying to yourself are my 4 stand out tracks