23 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

CACO - Single Review: Lights Off

19 Jun 2023 // A review by Steve Shyu
Raneem Caco, aka. CACO has continued to make waves in the hip-hop scenes of Aotearoa over the past six years. Releasing nearly three dozen recordings in that time, as well as countless live shows, the Iraq-born musician/producer is only doubling down on his craft.

His latest comes in the form of a single, entitled Lights Off, and has been receiving acclaim since its release on 16th June. Let’s shed some light on this new offering.

The backbone of the tune consists of a few bold yet simple guitar notes (I assume it’s guitar!) and a very urban and slow bounce in the drum rhythm. Interestingly, unlike a lot of present-day rap and hip-hop, the sub is used sparingly, only booming when needed at endings of passages and in bursts during the chorus. Or is that just a coincidence my speakers are heavier on subs?

Regardless, the instrumentation backs the vocal content well. The lyrics ebb and flow with the beat beautifully, much more in the style of early 2000’s hip-hop than a lot of post-2010 rap. Well, based on what I’ve listened to anyway.

Cut the lights off,

You should get used to the darkness,

That way you can see when I spark,

Lights off,

Maybe I’m ruthless not heartless,

For that I need a heart

A lot of rap and hip-hop that I enjoy most play with samples during and at the end of lines, as well as pre-recorded interjections. Not just in a gimmicky way, but to accentuate the verses, and add a playful dimension to the presentation. CACO seems to do this well; there’s a Street Fighter nod as he announces “Hadouken!”, and a cheeky “Wait, what??” to cap off a twisty sentence.

CACO projects through his coyness and subdued edginess, bouncing slickly through line and verse. There’s no spitting and shouting here, and no need for exuberance, because why should he? Hip-hop of the bygone decade was full of that; CACO is doing things his way.

Go hear Lights Off live on Saturday 8th July, 2023 at Wine Cellar in Tamaki Makaurau; tickets available HERE. Get in quick, as the release event for his Chisme EP was sold out!

Also check out CACO on Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, and Apple Music.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About CACO

CACO is a 23-year-old South Auckland raised Iraqi. Over the last 6 years, CACO has become an all encompassing musical artist; producing, mixing, mastering, writing and recording the near extent of his 30+ track catalog.

A current 3rd year AUT Mechanical Engineering student, CACO still puts extreme effort into his creative pursuit while still keeping on top of his undergraduate studies. This dichotomous double take on life is also prevalent in the music CACO puts out. From old-school boom-bap tracks with hard, heavy bars, to sultry RnB vocals over melancholic, melodic beats, and everything in between.

To date CACO has performed over 100+ live shows, including as an opener in a national tour, released almost 40 tracks and has found himself rubbing shoulders with some of NZ’s most promising up-and-comers.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for CACO

Releases

Chisme
Year: 2022
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Steve Shyu

Gig Review: Dougfest 2 - Night 2 @ Last Place, Hamilton - 26/10/2024
28 Oct 2024 // by Steve Shyu
DougFest is back. Bigger, bolder, and heftier than the first.
Read More...
Muriwai - Album Review: Muriwai
02 Oct 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Muriwai is the latest undertaking by Bob Bickerton and Ariana Tikao, a new and greatly anticipated collaboration in Aotearoa’s world of traditional music. Bob is a highly influential sound engineer, performer, educator, a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music, and composer who has worked in the New Zealand music industry for almost 50 years.
Read More...
Fan Club - EP Review: Towards The Sun
09 Jul 2024 // by Steve Shyu
2024 is set to be another monumental year for Tamaki Makaurau’s Fan Club. Just last year they claimed a multitude of awards, including the top prize at Raise Up’s New Found Sound, and placing first in the Auckland Central Final of the SmokeFree RockQuest.
Read More...
Havening - Double Album Review: Wavelengths of Light
26 May 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Big things are happening for Bonnie O'Donnell. Under her alias of Havening, she’s been eagerly crafting bucketloads of electronic music, releasing them all as not one, but two albums.
Read More...
Gig Review: Homegrown 2024 @ Wellington Waterfront - 16/03/2024 Part 2
18 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
With nothing of last night's rainstorm in sight except puddles in the asphalt, the sun warmed the air to counter the day's cold breeze. There was plenty of talk of a cold snap on the way, but I was confident my tee and hoodie combo would suffice.
Read More...
EP Review: PHNX
11 Mar 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa, look out for a rising star on the horizon.Under his stage name PHNX, 18-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Phoenix Simpson has released his self-titled debut EP and it’s a gem.
Read More...
EP Review: Ben Ruegg
29 Feb 2024 // by Steve Shyu
Ben Ruegg is one of the most hard-working people I personally know. He's a Muzic.
Read More...
Bevan Mical - Album Review: Division & Difference
12 Dec 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Since 2017 Bevan Mical has been busy. Hailing from the small Waikato town of Turua, he’s now onto his fourth full-length album, this one entitled Division & Difference.
Read More...
View All Articles By Steve Shyu

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem