CIAN DUCROT - STARTED IN COLLEGE (MIXTAPE)
Tammy shares her thoughts on the latest Cian Ducrot release, Started In College (Mixtape), and lets you know whether she thinks you should listen or not.
While he may not have spun any chairs in his initial blind audition on The Voice UK back in 2016, Cian Ducrot has been turning heads ever since. Moving into his first body of work, a collection titled started in college (mixtape), Ducrot signs off on the chapter that was the last two years of his life, capturing it through chronicling the deeply personal and, at times, traumatic tales of those around him. Whilst an outside observer, Ducrot steps into the tale detailing all the intricacies through his impeccable storytelling and through the delicacy of the music bed that he has made.
‘fucked up all the time’ is a cloud of depression that is accessible and highly relatable with honest lyrics from the first chord, “I’m so sick of feeling so fucked up all the time, like I’m living someone else’s life”. “I cry when I’m alone” and “why is it so fucking hard to grow up” further speak to a generation of goal driven teens and adults. Minimalism is the underlying key to this track, and this collection as a whole; a three-chord key line carries the verses, a pronounced double beat echoes across each bar and a shimmer of synth steadily inclines.
Muted finger picking makes up the bulk of ‘anyone but her’, complimenting Ducrot’s stunning transitions between head voice and falsetto whilst elevating the storytelling journey. Based on a true and extremely confronting fan story, ‘anyone but her’ is an account of the trials of pursuing a dream. Ducrot pieces these tales together not only with such attention to detail and accuracy, but with genuine compassion that radiates through his lyricism, song structure and his heartfelt vocal delivery.
‘Hurt So Bad’ draws parallels to both Ed Sheeran on ‘Small Bump’ and Mitch James with ‘One More’ as it tells the heartbreaking story of a friend’s miscarriage at 19 years of age. “Who knew that it could hurt this bad / Losing something that she never knew you had” breathes devastation and evokes the deepest empathy.
‘somebody else’ is a gorgeous showcase of Ducrot’s husky, belting vocals and the awakening of what started in college (mixtapes) represents for Ducrot as a serious songwriter; maturity, diversity, complexity and accessibility. ‘uber’ follows suit with strong vocal arrangements and a general warmth to the overall tone and signals the end of the first half of the mixtape.
Transitioning into the second half, 2018 single ‘Aftertaste’ beautifully incorporates a choir arrangement of the chorus to further heighten the journey, whilst ‘Clothes’ is a sultry, groove-driven tune. To include a song called ‘Midnight in Paris’ and not encompass the sounds of the city of romance would be a crime, but Ducrot captures the sparkling aura of Paris perfectly, leaning in with a sample of 40’s cello, chimes and finger snaps.
Further singles, ’21 Seconds’ and ‘All That I Know’ close the mixtape, putting a final seal on the formative years of Cian Ducrot. started in college (mixtapes) is best considered in two halves and two distinct eras of his career; the second half being where Ducrot is presented with the performer suit, and the first half is where he gets the suit tailored to fit.
Tammy Walters
★★★☆☆