James Fauntleroy's new song "Climbing Forever" is structured like a climb. The expansive backup vocals rise louder and higher as more and more instruments come in as the song goes on. In the beginning of the song Fauntleroy juxtaposes this sense of a build up with a melodic, descending flow that nicely mirrors the content of the track: climbing forever while sliding back. The song ends with a fadeout which, for the subject matter, seems appropriate as the song feels like it could go on forever.
Fauntleroy, originally from Inglewood, is mostly known for the work he's done for other artists. Like writing on Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail and Rihanna's Rated R and contributing vocals to Kanye and G.O.O.D. Music's Cruel Summer. He was even nominated for a Grammy for his work on Kendrick's To Pimp A Butterfly, winning two others for work he did with Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake.
Here's to hoping that Fauntleroy spends more time on his solo music in the future.
Quotable Lyrics
There’s a mountain of things
that fall when my phone rings
and my diamond rings
turn back into coal