This is my first music review, i didnt even know i could do a music review until i saw @shiftrox music review, and so i thought of i think the first song that made me emotional and that is Dave's song Lesley. I think its the first song i really listedned to the lyrics and heard what he was actually saying and it made me cry.
The first thing that stands out is the length. Eleven minutes, but you wouldnt even know its Eleven minutes when you are listening to it. In an era where people sometimes skip a song if the intro takes too long, Dave decided to tell an entire story and basically said, “You're going to sit here and listen. “Lesley” is one of the longest tracks on Psychodrama, which is the name of the Album and instead of feeling unnecessarily long, every section gradually adds another piece to the story.
The song is so powerful as is Dave's storytelling. He doesn't just tell you that Lesley is going through a difficult relationship. He lets the situation unfold. You meet her, understand pieces of her life, and gradually realise that what initially sounds like an ordinary relationship is actually much darker. The song deals with an abusive relationship and its consequences, but Dave presents it through storytelling rather than turning it into something sensational.
That's where I think Dave separates himself from a lot of rappers. He doesn't need to constantly remind you that he's a great lyricist. He just tells the story, that is what songs are supposed to do. There is something almost cinematic about the way “Lesley” develops. You can picture the scenes in your head, almost like you're watching a film rather than listening to a rap song.
The production helps tremendously too. The piano and rhythmic elements give the song this uncomfortable, melancholic feeling without overpowering the story. Then Ruelle's contribution adds another emotional layer to everything happening. The music or beats doesn't try to compete with Dave's words, it creates the space for them to hit harder. You're not supposed to finish “Lesley” thinking, “Wow, that was a catchy song.” You're supposed to sit there for a moment and process what you just heard.
Then there's the ending, which adds another layer to the entire story and makes you reconsider what you have just heard. That connection to the wider Psychodrama concept is part of what makes the album feel so carefully constructed.
Would I casually put “Lesley” on repeat every day? Probably not. It's too emotionally heavy for that. Interestingly, even listeners who rate the song highly have pointed out that it's the kind of track they appreciate more when listening to the whole album than when casually playing music.
Dave didn't make “Lesley” to be background music. He made something that demands your attention. Sit and actually listen to and i dare say this is one of the best storytelling songs in music i have ever heard, right up there next to Stan by Eminem. It should make you stop scrolling, put the phone down and actually listen.
Rating: 95/100
Originally posted through scrobble.life/music.
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