The Wake

Finals week is coming and with the catchy acronyms comes the realization that many of us have fourteen plus weeks of learning to do before December 17th. Long hours in the library are tedious at best, but the deafening silence can make any extended stay at Walter downright unbearable. If you need a theme song to your finals study experience, look no further than the Kruder & Dorfmeister remix of “Useless” by Depeche Mode.

Finding its place in the first half of the stunning K & D Sessions, “Useless” is a slice of downtempo bliss that even those unfamiliar with the genre will appreciate. With a beat that deftly tiptoes the fine line between overwhelming and shallow and a bassline that is fluid beyond all words, “Useless” is a song that radiates calm focus. It is not dense and distracting but is engaging enough to keep you conscious during a marathon study session.

Like the best of Brian Eno’s work, “Useless” doubles as good background music and remains engaging when given a deeper listen. The mix is open, but where this can sometimes lead to monotony, “Useless” has enough subtlety that it remains entertaining. As is characteristic of trip-hop, “Useless” is a song of loops, but these loops are interesting, making them appear as more than parts on repeat.

If “Useless” proves anything it is that Kruder & Dorfmeister may very well be the most talented production team in the trip-hop scene. They are able to temper the wilder sides of their genre with more accessible elements without bastardizing their art. “Useless” is an incredible song, a true testament to the great things a couple of producers with a pile of studio equipment can do. For those looking to stave off the insanity that inevitably accompanies long hours in the library, “Useless” is the song for you.

Tags: Finals, music, Song of the Fortnight