Draft:Overture (2017 AJR song)

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"Overture"
Title card for the song's music video
Song by AJR
from the album The Click
ReleasedJune 9, 2017 (2017-06-09)
Genre
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Adam Met
  • Jack Met
  • Ryan Met
Producer(s)Ryan Met
Music video
"Overture" on YouTube

"Overture" is a song by American indie pop band AJR. It appears as the opening track of The Click, which was released via the band's label AJR Productions on June 9, 2017. The song is AJR's second overture, following one of the same name on their debut album Living Room. A music video was released later in the year, featuring the trio in various New York City locations.

Background[edit]

Following a song of the same name and nature from their debut studio album Living Room (2015), AJR created "Overture" solely for their second album, The Click (2017).[4] The band created the song as "a modern version" of an overture from a Broadway show, naming Les Misérables and the Phantom of the Opera as inspirations.[5] During the overture's writing, band member Ryan Met wanted to mimic the soundscape of The College Dropout by American rapper Kanye West. AJR later took inspiration from the orchestral soundtracks of Disney films by adding violins and trumpets to create a similar atmosphere.[6] During the album's tour, "Overture" opened the concert with various stage effects while no members were present on-stage.[7]

Composition[edit]

"Overture" is an overture of The Click, sampling every song on the album.[8] The song begins with the metronome used in "No Grass Today" and "Come Hang Out",[9] appearing unaccompanied at a tempo of 97 beats per minute. Following the only sample of "The Good Part" over a piano-based composition, the first section is a minute long, containing the usage of "Netflix Trip"'s harmonies and "Come Hang Out"'s refrain and bridge. The second section continues with the former while vocal samples of "I'm Not Famous", "No Grass Today", "Turning Out", and "Sober Up" are interspersed over 20 seconds.[10]

The third section traditionally uses "Call My Dad" before performing spokestep to transform the melody to "Three-Thirty". This section and its follower both last 30 seconds, with the latter using "Come Hang Out" before introducing "Weak" midway. The song's breakdown revolves around these samples, additionally re-sampling "I'm Not Famous", "Netflix Trip", "Call My Dad", and "Three-Thirty". "Drama" and "Bud Like You" make short appearances during this,[10] with the former having "Let the Games Begin" in place of it in a demo.[3] The outro re-uses "Come Hang Out" before an abrupt cut to the opening unaccompanied metronome.[10]

Music video and use in media[edit]

Filming locations for "Overture" include the Union Station arch and Goodale Park in Columbus, Ohio.

On December 15, 2017, a music video for "Overture" was released, with direction by Robert Quaintance. The band performs the song at various locations in Columbus, Ohio, with each sampled song's title appearing in line with the composition.[10] On November 7, 2019, "Overture" was featured as the soundtrack of the first trailer for Pixar's animated film Soul.[11] It appeared in further promotion in anticipation of the movie's release in late 2020.[12] Via an Instagram post, the band stated that it was "Truly one of the coolest things to ever be a part of!"[1]

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Dzurillay, Julia (January 4, 2021). "Is AJR in Disney and Pixar's 'Soul?'". Showbiz Cheatsheet. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  2. ^ BMG (June 8, 2017). "US: AJR release new album The Click". BMG. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Becker, Sarah (April 28, 2024). "Revisiting AJR's overshadowed hit "Let the Games Begin"". AudioPhix. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Boudreau, Katie (November 14, 2018). "Review – AJR Is the Musical Family You Always Wished You Were". 303 Magazine. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Tan, Emily (August 31, 2017). "AJR Move From Opening Act to The Headliner on 'The Click': Interview". PopCrush. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Dewey, Atticus (November 10, 2017). "Album Review "The Click" by AJR". The Communicator. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  7. ^ LaScola, Ben (November 12, 2018). "Indie-Pop Group AJR Blows Up at Aragon Ballroom". Red Roll. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Ogden, Matthew (October 8, 2018). "AJR Kicks Off Homecoming Week With Energetic Performance". Onward State. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Westrom, Piper (May 21, 2019). "INTERVIEW: AJR looks to the holy land, the past and origins of governance". Riff Magazine. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Becker, Sarah. "WIP Source". AudioPhix.
  11. ^ Dzurillay, Julia (November 9, 2019). "AJR Fans React to Disney and Pixar's 'Soul' Trailer". Showbiz Cheatsheet. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  12. ^ Browning, Rhiannon (June 29, 2020). "Watch the new trailer for the upcoming Pixar Movie "Soul"". NYS Music. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  13. ^ The Click (Media notes). AJR. AJR Productions. 2017.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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