SiR, a rising talent from Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), gifted us the project Chasing Summer last year, and if you haven’t had the chance to dive in, now is the perfect moment. This album is a rich tapestry of love’s complexities, often highlighting the bittersweet and relatable downsides of falling in love. SiR masterfully enlisted features from industry heavyweights like Lil Wayne, Smino, and his labelmate Kendrick Lamar, each adding a unique flavor to the record.
Among the standout tracks is “John Redcorn,” a song where SiR steps into the persona of the lovelorn character from the animated series King of the Hill. For those unfamiliar, John Redcorn is known for his romantic misfortunes in the show, and SiR uses this as a poignant metaphor for heartbreak. The song’s foundation is built upon a calming yet melancholic blend of consistent percussion, gentle guitar strums, and subdued drums, creating the perfect soundscape for SiR’s emotional vulnerability. His vocal delivery is steeped in sadness, bordering on desperation for connection, as he questions his solitude despite feeling a mutual longing from his desired partner. The raw emotion in his voice is palpable; you can hear the slight quiver as he sustains notes, underscoring his heartache. Moments of layered vocals, with his natural pitch harmonizing with a higher-pitched echo, amplify the disparity and passion within his message. SiR delves into the depths of his feelings, expressing his frustration with caring so deeply, his yearning to be chosen, and the sleepless nights spent consumed by thoughts of this woman.
The animated music video for “John Redcorn” elevates the song’s emotional depth, offering a visual narrative that’s as captivating as the music itself. It opens with a scene reminiscent of a Black Hippy gathering – Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q are depicted hanging out, drinking, and smoking, as SiR’s animated character drives by. The setting shifts to his trailer, where he’s depicted in bed, alone, hesitantly declining calls from the woman who occupies his thoughts. He distracts himself by rolling a joint, playing music, and attempting to read, but his mind is clearly elsewhere. Eventually, he answers the call, leading him to her house, where he’s caught giving her a massage by Ab-Soul’s character. From this point, the video escalates his obsession; her face becomes ubiquitous, appearing in his hallucinations during everyday activities. This culminates in a car crash caused by sleep deprivation and a hallucination of her in the road, leading him to swerve and wreck his vehicle. In a grand, albeit misguided, romantic gesture, he sneaks into her home late at night, only to be abruptly knocked out by Soulo’s character.
Music videos that genuinely tell a story, rather than merely acting as visual accompaniments, are truly commendable. This video for “John Redcorn” functions like a mini-episode inspired by King of the Hill, with a silent storyline that beautifully complements the song’s lyrical content. The track itself is a powerfully romantic and effortlessly smooth ballad, making the video’s success hardly surprising. It builds upon an already strong foundation laid by the song’s emotional core. Even without deep familiarity with King of the Hill, the music video’s narrative clearly echoes the themes of the John Redcorn character, particularly his experiences with unrequited love and complicated relationships. Whether you’re a dedicated fan of King of the Hill or simply appreciate soulful R&B, SiR’s “John Redcorn” and its inventive visual companion are absolutely worth experiencing.
