JFinch is an emcee and drummer out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also one part of the duo group Finch and Julius, and has extensive experience on stage, in the booth, and music in general. Raised in Drayton Valley, Alberta, one of his newest videos and songs, ‘Pushing’, shows how evolved his artistry has become.
The first thing that strikes you about Pushing, is the superb photography that couples with the modestly epic instrumental that begins to play in the background. JFinch’s flow comes in confidently and clear, immediately entrapping you with metaphorical schemes. The video itself is clean and professional, with great transition and color correction that make it stand out from the slew of amateur videos that litter the inter-webs. The instrumental is instantly memorable, great lo-fi strings coupled with the intense and captivating delivery that JFinch provides.
I would say that the video has just enough connection to the song itself: the shots rapidly transition from JFinch opening a flask, mentioned in the lyrics, and pushing on a skateboard, displaying a varying urban sprawl behind. The lighting, editing, and synchronization with the music is all on point, highlighting the professional quality the video is brimming with. With resolution as crispy as a hash brown, it is an absolutely stunning cut that would look right at home on most high-def screens today.
If there are any criticisms of the video, they are few: the transitions from night to day feel unnatural and uneven in some scenes. At the same time, it is a small gripe, as the rapid flashes, contrasting light, and effects benefit the overall pace of the song. If anything, a video that looks this crispy deserves more effects, scenes, and enhancements. For the song, though, the video is direct, simple, and eye-catchingly effective.
The song itself is strong, with intelligent lyrics and diverse flows that make for a mesmerizing listen. The mix is thick and juicy, with every frequency coming in cleanly over the monitors. Instrumentally, this is a beat that many rappers would love to tear apart: the strings and melody create a bad-ass vibe that leaves your head nodding. JFinch’s style mesh with the instrumental well, creating a believable sound that is familiar, but new all at once.
There are a few things that could certainly have made the track hit stronger, however: while the mix is superb, there is little to distinguish between what is the verse, and what is the hook, other than the lyrics repeating as it plays. A more obvious change in the instrumental, or even a thin adlib over the hook, would have helped made the chorus stand out much more, as the lyrics feel like they roll into the words of the verses. The pace of the vocals hardly slows down, and this remains true to the hook.
JFinch’s song Pushing is a strong entry to his growing line of solo material. The video itself is professional and clean, setting itself apart from the long list of sloppy videos found elsewhere. The style of JFinch is refreshing to hear given the current landscape of hip-hop, which lacks originality and intelligence. It only leaves the listener wanting to see how far JFinch’s potential can reach.
8/10
POSITIVES:
Unique and intelligent lyrics, above-average delivery and flow.
Professional Video and Top-Notch Production and Mix
NEGATIVES:
Uneven lighting can be distracting.
Hook/Chorus could use some diversifying.
