WTF Is Polyphia?!
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- WTF have I just watched?! I have never heard of Polyphia and so I'm blind reacting to their latest song Neurotica. I don't even know what to make of it or what kind of music this is. Their skill is undeniable! Are you a fan of Polyphia? Help me understand if you can in the comments below!
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#polyphia #polyphiareaction #musicreview
Making us listen to you chew ice was such a power move, I respect it.
What in the world are you talking about lol
@@sins1549 2:02 and following. I thought exactly the same thing, Alex.
My thoughts exactly. Who will stop this madman!
🤣
@@sins1549 you trying to sandbag him by not understanding the comment? maybe don't post until the frontal lobe has had a little bit more time to develop.
Just discovered you and it's pretty awesome that you're dressed like you just landed a Cessna full of blow on a homemade runway in the Everglades. Love it.
I love it when Justin picks up his guitar thinking he will have a go at playing it and then just says never mind.
Welcome to the club Justin ! :)
Polyphia is great for when you want to show your guitars the neglect they are receiving and let you consider if you should just throw them away.
🤣
Yep,,,, ditto,,,LMFAO!!!!
🤣reminds me of those petrucci psycho videos "just stop. put your guitar on ebay"
@@stumpydino custom made strings that can withhold the temperature of the sun 😂
2:58 : THBB10 stands for "Tim Henson Black Beauty 10". Tim calls his signature guitar the "black beauty". So, there you go.
*Gibson:* 😠
@@unbearifiedbear1885 it won't be Gibson unless THEY sue him !
Should be a Bad Boi 😅
@@auntjenifer7774 yeah it won't be Gibson of they did an IP of the names seperately with the guitar shapes. 😂
Yeah he was inspired by those old Les Paul Customs for the color scheme
you nailed it on the head with “music for musicians”… i often find myself more interesting in the playing and intricacies of it than the song itself because im a musician
And what makes them special is that it's also music for the masses. I'm not a musician and have a hard time getting into bands like Animals as Leaders (they're absolutely nuts, it's a failing on my end not any lack on their end) because I can't notice much less appreciate things like funky time signatures or why two 8 strings were chosen.
It's in turn what makes them such RUclips darlings. I, as a non musician, like listen to talented musicians talk about what Polyphia (and other musicians) are doing and how. They bridge that gap and allow both sides to compliment each other.
This is why I listen to this song so much.
I also am a musician, but I find this kind of stuff boring, masturbatory and extremely self-referential.
For me it’s interesting because I play guitar but it’s something you watch or listen to a few times and think “that’s amazing playing” and then you go about your day and forget about it.
I'd actually say a musician would be far more critical of this band. If you know what they're doing, you can appreciate the difficulty, but then what? We're just not as impressed, and once that's gone you have some pretty soulless noodling. I love math rock, prog, metal, but this band is just a bread sandwich imho. Not hating on those who like them, there's just nothing interesting here for me personally.
You legit have a Matthew McCounaghey vibe going on with your kit on this video. Awesome video, as always.
Whether or not it's your flavor, it's nice to see artists with a real appreciation for musicianship. You can really tell just how much effort each of these guys put into their day-to-day. Great stuff.
I feel it's technically excellent yet completely devoid of any soul. I'm an electronic music fan since the mid 90's so it's not the processing that bothers me. I just don't feel anything but amazement. I don't feel sad or happy, nostalgic or elated. It's cool but empty.
@@TheTransitmtl your brain is preoccupied trying to figure it out, so there’s no room for emotion yet.
Kind of like if you tried to juggle a soccer ball while flipping pancakes and spinning a basketball on your finger. You’re not going to have the processing capacity left for emotions.
@@beanlegume9965 it’s great if you’re anxious ,adhd or just an over thinker, really helps me chill on out
@@TheTransitmtl I completely agree with you for this song. I think some of their other stuff like OD or Playing God is a better representation of the techincal side mixed with emotion, especially as an electronic fan. I've seen a lot of current electronic musicians wanting to collab with them, so I hope the band takes them up on that.
I'm not a musician but love stuff like this because it's different and not boring. To me, the musicianship is top notch and amazing. I'm also a fan of Rush.
It's so boring. But I also hate Rush. But even Rush is miles more interesting that this. This is like elevator funk
You should have set off earlier.
Rush sucks
No doubt guys like you just lack the necessary brainpower to enjoy this level of musical complexity.
@@jaegervand2112
It's not about complexity or brainpower or other elitist babble. The music is good and competently produced, it just evokes no emotion in most people.
I love watching your videos. Calming, interesting and informative, whilst also introducing me to new music. You’re an absolute joy, Mr Hawkins. 🤘🏻👊🏻 🎸
man... i have a confession to make... i watched like 4 or 5 of your videos before i realized you were the voice of "the darkness"... "get your hands off of my woman" still has a special place in my heart.. thank you... and also, in the unlikely event that you see this comment on a 5 month old video... i'm somewhat ashamed that i didn't realize who you were at first... and therefore, i would like to extend a sincere apology... necessary or not. Me and my buddies used to try our damnedest to hit your notes... and the "ya cunt" after "get your hands off of my woman, mothafucker" was absolutely epic... not to mention the grooviness of the band as a collective... i can still hear the bassline in my mind after years of not hearing the song... with that being said... i must leave you now... and enjoy your works... but know this... i WILL return and finish this video... come hell, or loose women... i will return.
Outstanding comment. Now, I'm off to listen to this song you speak of. I've only ever heard the, thing called love, song.
I think GYOOMW was the first darkness song I ever heard late one night on MTV or something slightly inebriated. And I thought, how do I not know who this awesome but clearly 80s band are?? 😅 That song kicks ass.
@@rferguson3 = Well, what didya think of it then ?? - (assuming ya DID listen to it ?)
Strong recommendation from me = LISTEN TO 'THE DARKNESS' track, called "BARBARIAN"
Powerful track, great guitar throughout, it tells of the Norsk Invasion of the East Coast of England**
(1,000+ years ago) - In fact the whole album ("Last of Our Kind") is highly recommended
.
Didn't realize it, thanks for your comment xD
@@hawnyfox3411 Yeah, I actually dig it. Not exactly my favorite, but def pretty cool. Now I'm gonna go check out this other one that you recommended. He's def an underrated, badass of a guitarist.
I dont listen to them a ton but i do seriously appreciate them. This is modern fusion: metal/video game/electronic (trap/hiphop). I think its really cool what theyre doing, essentially reacting to electronically made music and finding a way to transpose it to electric guitars. Originally you had jazz guys learning from horns then keyboards etc and now you have them learning what once seemed impossible and playing it on guitar… pretty rad for the instrument but it puts them in this interesting place that their music is so so intricate and complex but its also very palatable and “simple” at its core harmony so a part of your brain definitely latches onto it, just absurd technically. Tim has talked about how he’ll write electronically then figure it out on guitar
no, chiptune/nintendocore is video game music
Well said
@@coryleblancName a single actual video game with an actual chiptune or nintendocore soundtrack, I'll wait.
I saw them play with Vai in Dallas a week ago. Great players no doubt. It's the kind of thing that I appreciate live more than I would listen to on a regular basis. Shredding, regardless of how amazing, gets kind of old after a while.
It's wank
I like the music ..but, it currently seems to lack that 'jam' ability (that i also like).
Which allows you to play well with others.
@Rachel Forshee Na man .. Listen to Obituary or maybe some Megadeth 🤘🏻
@@Fiveash-Art Megadeath are wank
@Rachel Forshee It's not 'brainy' just because it's complicated. Complexity is a completely different concept than 'complicated' .. that's exactly what Polyhia is. You're not intelligent just because you listen to this crappy band. 😂
They’re earlier music is definitely more “rock” sounding. Their album from a couple of years ago sounded like the background music for a rap album. Definitely a unique band.
They are doing their own thing. There's nothing like these guys and that's very hard to accomplish.
I agree along with Intervals, Chon, Covet and Shrezzers
@@MD_Slaine agree 😂
Unfortunately that doesn't mean it's any good. You can throw rice up in the ceiling and call it a new genre
yer there was but he died in 1993
This is definitely not my kind of music but it's hard not to appreciate their incredible technicality and precision while playing. I enjoy their live videos way more than their music videos, though.
@@wrelensmash Can confirm
Silly things like this are high up there within the scope of Fail Army video collections of people who send their guitar flying when trying to do the Yngwie shoulder-throw.
@@VictitiousStudios wha
@@VictitiousStudios huh?!
I had the same reaction when I first heard them. I appreciate the technical talent of Polyphia but to me it lacks any kind of soul and feeling. It's like programing all the scales into a computer and hitting the make a song button.
There's a great band called Unprocessed that have a similar (not AS technical as Polyphia) but they offer much more of an injection of feeling that helps through the vocal performance too. If you want to check them out I'd suggest their songs 'Abandoned' and 'Real' which Tim Henson of Polyphia actually featured on.
@@jamiedingwall1819 Wow, this is good.
It reminds me of listening to my friend demonstrate every setting on a line 6 kidney bean for the first month after he bought it
Been waiting for a Polyphia reaction. You’re staying on top of it. Love it.
You should check out Playing God. This is a little heavier on the electronic. Playing God is on nylon guitars.
You’re ability to appreciate even things that don’t strike an emotional string is great. Some other bands in this realm that you may like, especially if you like stranger time signatures is Animals as Leaders, Sithu Aye, Chon, and Periphery. Hope you like it 😁
Agreed!
How did you get an impression that he appreciates and enjoys this?
@@guciowitomski3825 Not sure if he “enjoys it” but he shows appreciation for the technicality of it. Certainly not everyone’s cup of tea but I’m happy to see his covering it. Thanks for asking Witmoski.
8:16 genre-wise I'd probably call it math rock, but with a strong influence from 'djent', a style of metal which has been hugely influential on heavy music over the last 10-15 years (arguably ad nauseam at this point). Djent came out of progressive metalcore bands in the mid-late 2000s who took a lot of inspiration from Meshuggah (essentially the grandfather of the style), but some bands, like Polyphia, haven taken that influence in a more intricate direction drawing more on math rock, jazz and funk. Polyphia also has more of an electronic music production approach which is why it's so clean and tight. I'm not really a fan of their style personally but the production quality is pretty much as impressive as the playing.
I think a key element of djent that separates it from other prog/math rock styles is that there's usually a solid 4/4 groove with a backbeat as opposed to lots of playing with time signatures and tempos. The rhythmic complexity is more in the syncopation and longer polyrhythmic patterns that revolve asymmetrically around that core groove. No one does it like Meshuggah though!
tim hendson has come out to say that a lot of his music is based on appreciation for hip hop and in his new album he has worked with trippie redd
@@smokingdrowdndarkelf976 oh sick, yeah that doesn't surprise me you can definitely hear the trap influence in the production
I would recommend listening to more of their stuff. New Levels New Devils is a phenomenal album with some really captivating tracks on it. They seem to be in ultra exprimental mode right now. Which is a joy to fan's familiar with what they are about. But could be quite alienating to new listeners. Their "The Most Hated" EP is a fun thing to check out.
New levels New Devils changed my life.
@@SpacemanXC changed your life !?
Like Pink Floyd ?
@@auntjenifer7774 Funny you say that. Yes, actually. When I first started playing guitar in 1996, I was part of the hardcore/crossover scene. Like most kids, I got bored with all the straight edge mumbo jumbo and mosh pits after a while. So I got into weed and Pink Floyd. My guitar playing took a different direction. Gone were the days of angsty riffs and breakdowns. And in came jazzy chords and psychedelic guitar solos.
Now I'm a grown ass man, and I cant spend all day smoking weed. So my music tastes got very aggressive once again. For the last 12 years I've been really up on all the new prog metal and the thrash metal revival.
Then Polyphia happens. And I realize that I love it. They're doing something people havn't done before. They're using all the technicality of modern prog metal, and combining it with pop/hip hop, while using compressed clean tones. It blew my mind. I still love my thrash metal shreds, and screaming high gain, but the last couple years i've been experimenting with playing clean and using compression instead of gain. I can't play like Tim Henson, but it's a lot of fun using his techniques. The way he hybrid picks has really rubbed off on me. And actually improves the way I play some old Van Halen songs, for example.
So yes. Life changing.
That’s actually Tims’ signature fretboard the tree of death, a spin on Vai’s!
I love watching and listening to them, precisely because I don't get it. I can't decide if they're trying to be modern-pop sounding, or if they're calling back to some older, very non-rock/pop genres, or both. You'll hear a passage of music that you swear you've heard before in a completely different context, like soul jazz or something. But it's presented with this insanely masterful shreddy vibe. I love the confusion it gives me.
Yes and no. Virtuosity gets boring real quickly.
Thanks, different sort of music but good nonetheless!! I loved your subtle change of guitar at end Justin :)
Thanks Rachael!
As a guitarist, I was floored when I heard GOAT for the first time and I immediately bought the album ! I don't think I ever listened to it since. I appreciate and I"m in awe of their musicianship but it bores me pretty fast.
Why would you buy the album if you didn’t know if you actually liked it haha
@@syncops834 In order to know whether I liked it or not I had to listen to it first, right ? So I had to bit it. I know, I'm old school.
@@syncops834 You know....support the musicians who put a lot of time into making it?
@@holliswilliams8426 What? You’ve just completely changed the subject. Of course I know that buying a physical copy of an album supports the artist, but I’m asking the person; if they don’t particularly like the band, why would they pay money for the album
This is cute boi video game prog.
It's very impressive technically, but every song sounds like anime intros or the type of music you hear in a video game when the spiky haired skinny hero starts flying around while swinging a comically large sword.
We're in the era where musicians are more influenced by the Wii menu music than albums they sought out because they love music. The never ending tapping is just them doing combos.
Hey, Wii Music is at least subtle, interesting harmonically and rhytmically, and doesn't scream "i'm impressive" all the time.
old man yells at cloud vibe
@@auracle6184 where's the yelling? he just stated his opinion. your comment adds nothing, there is no counteropinion or anything.
@@nanchou7139 what adds nothing is "they're all very talented but there's no //artistry// in this technical music" as if they get to define what art has value. Similar people no doubt said "we're in the era where musicians are more influenced by the punk ideology than great albums like Elvis Presley, the never ending strumming is just them having nothing important to say with their guitars"
@@auracle6184 While I agree that saying that this isn't artistic is wrong, I think the artistry here is comparable to the paintings of Thomas Kinkade. There's skill, there's a story, there's nice little details, but the whole thing is so over-the-top without any real emotional value, that it ends up being annoying or tiring.
With Punk music, although there's a lot of astounding bands that are remembered, back in the day there really was a lot of crappy ones. Listening to them now in the future they are no better then they were.
That is to say - good music, even if new/innovative/experimental, is appreciated if it's good. This song just isn't good.
Even though the music is not for me, I can appreciate the fact that it is played by actual people, playing actual instruments.
So, not something I would listen to, but I appreciate and recognize these guy's talent.
So much talent, so little musicality. (Nearly) anyone can learn technique, but it's all of the other intangible, unteachable stuff that makes music interesting (likewise w/ painting, literature, and virtually all creative endeavors). Indeed, "music for musicians," and very possibly only for the musicians in Polyphia.
These takes are insane. These guys jist dont generically shred like some 80's generic metal guitarists lol. Actually check out their music.
Polyphia comes from the word Polyphony meaning musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice, monophony, or a texture with one dominant melodic voice
love the take here, totally agree. their playing is exceptional and they are incredibly talented. I just don't really groove with it, it seems emotionless in a way. Robotic like you alluded to.
100% disagree. There's tons of emotion in their work , check out the first guitar break in "Euphoria"
Different strokes different folks :)
Must tell u that your opinion is very unpopular x) and i kinda agree with u aswell
I guess you’re just not ready for it yet but our future AI robot overlords are going to love it!
couldn't agree more. I can appreciate the talent here, but to me it just comes off as people playing scales as fast as possible. I had the same reaction way back in the 80s with Malmsteen. Just not my bag.
I believe Polyphia are alien hybrid star children. Basically they play what they heard in the starship cafeteria or alien elevator music.
If you wish to look at polyphia again I would highly recommend their songs G.O.A.T and Playing God. I am a fairly casual fan of polyphia but I really do not like this new song, however those guitars are sexy
I think GOAT would be the appropriate reaction vid
Yup my 9 yr old daughter loves G.O.A.T. great chewen
I listen to polyphia often and all I was thinking is “there are much better songs to react to”.
@@bartonamon Not so sure lol, personally I love Playing God but GOAT gets stale fast
4:19 Well, actually the "tree of death" as Tim calls it
I’m really surprised at a lot of the comments on this video - although I realize everyone is different and all opinions are valid. The ones I relate to the least are the ones calling their music robotic or that it doesn’t evoke emotion - I often get goosebumps and sometimes even tears when I listen to Polyphia - their music touches my soul.
Edit: I might add I’m a lifelong musician and math nerd who has played multiple instruments and genres of music - that may explain it as others have mentioned
It's like watching a modern big budget hollywood movie, where the CGI and editing are good on a technical level, with some gorgeous set pieces.. but the writing/dialogue, acting, directing etc all come across as unrealistic and manufactured, making it harder to relate to and get immersed.
I get the exact same thing myself.
It reminds me of when I get excited about something in astrophysics and I'll show someone a video about it and they're like, yeah... that's nice.
I used to think it was an intelligence thing, then I tested that out multiple times with highly intelligent people, and they could explain it to me very clearly and precisely, so they got it, but they didn't get IT. We're just built differently I guess.
And yeah musician as well.
Justin Hawkins has become one of my favourites to watch.
He's a legend. Just a funny dude. Witty. Just great.
I think the “emotional value” actually comes from how genuinely mental Scottie and Tim’s virtuosity is. As you said I think it’s very much music for musicians but I do believe that anyone can access the emotional value when you actually grasp how difficult and technical Polyphia’s arrangements are. If that is too much then simply marvel in how talented every single member is. Another instrumental band I recommend is the prog-metal band Animals as Leaders.
yeah no
That’s interesting that you recommend Animals as Leaders after I commented about how I don’t get how people don’t get Polyphia. I want to like AAL, and I’ve really tried - but I don’t “get” their music, although I certainly am impressed with and respect their talent and proficiency.
Is that how you rationalize it, let me guess you’d be starstuck if you ever seen yngvie malmsteen eh 😂😂
Self indulgent fad that ain’t timeless, analogous to the “80’s” sound
Marveling in how talented they are doesnt have a fraction of listenability, or enjoyment of a really catchy simple rhythm that provokes an emotional feeling in listeners. Im also a musician and its certainly interesting and impressive, but i cant say this is very inspirational music, because it feels as souless as calculus, especially with everything sounding programmed.
I like how he picked up the guitar to jam along... Heard one bar and thought "sod that", even with being an insanely good guitarist as Justin is.
Yeah made me laugh as well. He reminds me of my old guitar teacher. Insanely talented and would say exactly the same haha.
I took lessons with clay Gober (the bassist) a couple years ago and he explained that they typically record each individual phrase separately and then learn how to play it later, that’s probably why you don’t hear any string noise
Noise reduction/gating helps too. A bunch of amp sims do this out of the box.
Yeah they literally pencil in midi notes into a DAW and then learn the song that way. It's a pretty mad way of doing things but they really make it work!
pretty sure none of these new wave technical guys (tosin, these guys, etc) use amps at all
Laptop music
@@guitaristssuck8979 why don't you do it then?
Great band, part of the new wave of “tech metal” or “math rock”. Loads of bands out there although Polyphia, Animals as leaders, Sarah longfield are all top of their game! My personal favorite is Plini! A bit more traditional in style but mega talented musician.
Math rock tends to have intricate and unusual chord progressions and time signatures, while this has the most simple and predictable chord progression and rhythm possible
trap prog rock maybe
I call it glitch rock. In production using a lot of short, wildly different samples to create a new melody is considered glitchy. they're technique is similar as it uses a lot of very short, wildly different guitar techniques. Even the drum pattern could be considered glitchy.
They're Prog Fusion to me, since I've always considered Polyphia to be a Prog band
Plini is also my favorite of the new gen of instrumental guitarists.
'Polyphia' is classical prog rock vernacular meaning "technical meh'.
This is the sleezy kind of look I hope to pull off when I'm older, big fan
5:34 most relatable thing to happen whilst listening to Polyphia haha
The name polyphia is derived from the name for small growths on the inner lining of the large intestine or rectum
I got into Polyphia with their "the most hated" ep. Their follow up album New Levels New Devils was quite something. The best part is it's both catchy and musically complex.
Personally don't think Neurotica or Playing god were as good as the above records, but I'm still excited for the rest of it.
they went downhill after muse imo
@@stephanyampolsky7187 L take
He’s very talented,but it’s not for me.For me it’s a case of technical robot playing.Each to their own
*”It’s…um…very…very technical really”*
Is exactly what I thought when I heard this.
It was also the last time I actually listened to it.
Hell Justin, I couldn't focus on Polyphia when my misophonia kicked in at the 2 minute mark when you crunched on the ice cube!!!
To me they just sound like a very intricate R&B (pop) backing band.
Jesus! THE DARKNESS! I didn't realize I recognized you until you mentioned the spaceship set.
You'd be surprised with their fan base. It certainly isn't made up of just musicians. For me, their "The Most Hated" EP really stands out as an ideal mix of musicality and pip sensibility.
“Not something to react to emotionally...” exactly the issue with these guys
these guys have managed to create some of the most astounding, virtuosic, technically prodigious music I've ever heard....and the same time, have bored me to toddler tears. I had the sad face and everything.
i want to say a bit like Zappa without the imagination but i don't think that's fair to frank
"What's that? I can't be bothered to try it..."
Coltrane was a virtuoso. I have nightmares thinking about what Polyphia would do with “My favourite things”.
Oh my god. When you flipped up your glasses, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. You are fast becoming a channel / person I look forward to watching whenever a clip is released. I'm late to the party I know. Hell I had never even listened to The Darkness before, as I've almost entirely listened to thrash metal and the like. I love your humor, and your musicality when working out riffs . Rock on Justin. Your doing everything right :D. P.S. With those colored glasses, you could get a role in a Hollywood film as a pawn broker who's a bit dodgy and not to be messed with....specialising in musical instruments and gear. Just thinking out loud :)
My first love has always been Jazz. Fusion Jazz to a lesser extent. I do like instrumentals from Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. But when it starts to get totally complicated and requires me to think to listen, I lose interest really fast. As happens with Dream Theater and anything by Ying yang Malmstein. This music you talked about here in this video, wouldn't have lasted a minute in my headphones and likely would have used the CD as a coaster for my tea. I'm all for thought provoking music, but music that will give me a migraine.... not so much. Keep up the great work.
For me it's not the having to think to listen that's off-putting. It's not a complicated chord progression. It's all the other little embellishments that ruin it. There's no time for an idea to develop or flesh out, because it's just like a roller coaster and you never know what's going to happen next. That can be good in music too, just not ALL THE TIME
@@JobForAMaxboy Agreed. Then you get bands like Spock's Beard. Technical, but enjoyable to listen to. Like Yes from the 70's and even Pink Floyd.
"Bu-doob-tdbdbbdtbdbdbdtbdbdtb; what's that?- - - - pffft can't be bothered trying it!"
9:13 Planet X. Oh Justin, you're a man of culture as well.
Those little edits you do where it zooms in when something strange happens. Mark my words, you will become the next Rick Astley of memes.
I can appreciate the talent, but to me it sounds like a robot playing a guitar. Not for me but glad to have heard them, great vid Sir Justin! :)
You should check out their song “the worst”
Or “OD”
My brother and I had that exact conversation "Who the hell is listening to this?"....It's not "lounge music" it's not "elevator music" and I'm not putting it on when my friends come over! I appreciate the talent, but where does this "fit" in life?
I love Polyphia, thing is it did take me a while to find the right song to make me a fan. Some of their songs while insanely talented I just didnt vibe with, but then I heard the unlpugged version of Playing God. It's one of the best flamenco fusions I have ever heard and his technique really shines through. One of those performances that beats out the studio version, Trust me give it a listen! Unplugged! :)
No.
It sounds like computerized rock/funk elevator music. And they've called the song, "Neurotica", which is actually a great album name, and was used by Redd Kross, back in 1987. Hey Justin, Maybe you should check out Redd Kross!
omg
this is a masterclass in taking he piss and honouring someone at the same time - and both are deserved at times
id call it like Groove Prog at this point, the style of music that is.
Catching up and binge watching all your latest videos. Great work Justin. Never heard of these and love finding new artists. Would you consider doing a video on one of the following….. Courteeners, Blossoms or catfish and the bottlemen? Pretty please 🥺
As a long time fan of both you and Polyphia, I would heavily recommend going back to some of their earlier albums if you want some of their more accessible stuff.
I love polyphia and find their leads super catchy, I was humming this song constantly last year. The bass and drums are killer too they sound like modern trap (a genre I love) and are so damn groovy.
Of the 2 songs I've heard off the upcoming album, I much prefer "Playing God" to this. I really like the production and arrangement of their music. Working with younger hip-hop producers has really worked out well for them IMO, and it's a big part of what makes their music seem new and fresh. I think it also helps widen their appeal, cos it's very technical, yet somewhat approachable as well. I know people who like Polyphia songs such as "G.O.A.T." who would never listen to Planet X, who Justin mentioned, cos they find that kind of music too far "out there".
I preferred Playing God over Neurotica as well. But now they are at an even tie for me. I've dissected Neurotica so many times now with each listen and parts of it are just so damn good 👍
"Except for mice." Exceptional, sir.
Love Polyphia, creating a new Genre.
Have you heard the newest Muse song "Kill or Be Killed"?
Best song they have made in a decade in my opinion
Cheers Jack!
Opinion seconded. Been waiting some 15 years for them to come out with something like that!
Technically gifted musicians to be sure, but they're not creating a new genre. If Satriani and Vai seem too far removed, at the very least Spastic Ink and Gordian Knot were doing similar things in the 90s.
@@dio52 gordian knot!!! RIP to sean malone and sean reinert...cheers bro!!!
@@dio52 personally I haven't heard anything like playing god. Its like lofi hip-hop beats with incredible guitar work with a latin feel
You're lowkey very funny.
This was the most tiring but also interesting reaction I've watched in a long time
That's Tim Henson on guitar I believe, watching him play is somehow negatively inspirational. How can someone be that good? His solo parts/videos are incredible. Not a big fan of this band though.
Take inspiration from the fact that it musically sucks.
@@carlodave9 I don't think it sucks perse, because bands like Weezer or Nirvana "musically suck" but I still think they're great listens.
The problem with Polyphia is that it's musically boring. Complexity for the sake of complexity. Riffs that just drag on to show as many techniques as possibile before repeating, while not doing anything interesting harmonically.
It doesn't suck musically, in fact it's so musically average and safe that that's what makes it unbearable after a short while.
Go watch Ichika Nito, it gets worse
It sounds a bit too much like something that would be in Guitar World magazine for the sake of having something difficult to play, rather than actually sounding good (similar to Guthrie Govan).
Justin you explained this perfectly. I just heard about this band recently and I said the exact same thing. The music is for people who know music and im both insanely impressed and interested and at the same time, have no real want to listen to it or connect to it like I would Nirvana, Metallica or U2 (my Favorite bands). The sound as you said, I thought was computer generated, specifically the drums, but it wasn't. Making it more astonishing. Like we said, its music for musicians to drool over and gawk at. Progressive rock at its finest, but very little to no soul to anyone apart from the musicians themselves.
The skill level in Polyphia is off the charts. That said, it's like Pablo Casals: incredibly gifted cellist and I appreciate his skill, but I'm not really into cello.
Is it really off the charts?
It's just one of those tracks you need to give a few spins before the "navigation" kicks in properly. (And the emotion might be something like "calm, yet envigorated"? It's probably having the right emotional expectations that makes giving it another go the way to go.)
Agreed
You could have been David Sylvian there with that rides again intro…!!!! X First time I’ve watched one of your videos Justin - You’re like a well bathed fear and loathing in Las Vegas - a right bit of whimsy. Xx
Hi Justin! I'm a 30 year old hard rock guitarist and I love your channel and The Darkness. Would you consider doing a video on the solo career of John Sykes? I feel that your audience would benefit from such a discussion.
7:43 - I'm just amazed they have electric guitars that require no leads
the name polyphia is actual a twist on the word "polyphony" which means "a style of musical composition employing two or more simultaneous but relatively independent melodic lines"
I highly recommend sharing your thoughts on Look But Don't Touch by the Polyphia boys.
If you're dismissing this band as devoid of "emotion" or "heart" then I'd kindly ask you to give their "Most Hated" EP a chance. Particularly "The Worst" or "Goose", even the light-hearted "40oz". Some really great Hendrixian melodies in those tracks. "Playing God" is quite incredible, an amazing mash up of Flamenco, Bossa Nova and their own guitar style (harmonics and open string hammer-on/pull-offs). Their bass and drums are also stunning, and all real, contrary to speculation. Just watch each band member's "unplugged" playthrough of Playing God and pick your jaw up off the floor when you're done.
Thanks for covering this band Justin. I think they might become a huge name in the next few years.
Not sure if bank on "huge name".. Fantastic players I'm sure, generally that's not what the huge masses go for though
Yeah neurotica is definitely shred for shred sake and “music for musicians” as he put it, but the thing that’s actually cool about polyphia is how much of their stuff isn’t that while still being pretty crazy technical. But fan service like this song for the shred army is something they’re also gonna keep doing
@@philpants44 It's the collabs they'll try to do that will make them popular. If that fails then they'll stay niche. Their music is a little bit too technical to chart on it's own. They are changing guitar music though.
Your point about it being like square Planet X was spot on. Polyphia inhabit the Djent scene but have made their thing as of late doing so but sticking to 4/4 and primarily more traditionally tuned guitars with an emphasis on super smooth pop style production and writing techniques that involve experimenting with other genres and then translating those ideas onto guitar (if you check out Tim Henson's youtube clips of him writing it will make much more sense). They say more about how production is it's own creative medium these days than they do about a percieved trend towards 'industry sanitisation', so shouldn't be too worried that they spell the end of guitar based music in it's purer forms in the mainstream just yet.
Just say it Justin… this is Flex Rock… Their music videos look like Ibanez guitar commercials… whilst the melody sounds nothing like a guitar. Really reminds me of a brand advertisement you would see when a manufacturer is releasing a new product demo.
Do they look like Ibanez ads because they're playing Ibanez guitars? By that logic Metallica would be ESP advertisement band and old Megadeth Jackson advertisement band.
@@rautamies2305 I think after a band earns its stripes in the trenches for many years, its fair to cash in and makes sense … but Polyphia is quite new, so it leaves me with a synthetic impression of their evolution. Polyphia has successfully integrated every guitar flex meme into their performance, so bravo for that I suppose. I have seen Roland release commercials for synth guitars that look just like a Polyphia video. But to each their own, and just like every good internet guitar flex video, it goes viral and it seems that in itself is enough these days to be considered “successful”, which is kind of sad and cynical, but that’s where we are. Polyphia definitely know how to get noticed within our milieu. I don’t think they have enough substance to last though is my guess, these aren’t songs I’d want to listen to more then once or twice.
Seems like clinical jazz
5:37 "Can't bother tryin' it." 😂
Like with Dream Theater before them, Polyphia makes music to impress other musicians. Really phenomenal players, but also nothing I'd ever listen to in my car.
I mean I have a fair few non musician friends who listen to them, especially the NLND stuff since the riffs are so catchy
Pretty much every dream theater song has catchy hooks you can sing along to. Of course the long instrumental section here and there alienate a lot of people ("when do they start singing?"), but there is plenty to hang on too, which is why they have a bigger audience than the usual guitar heros.
Scalloped frets don't make "shredding" any easier. It's for bending.
I just found Polyphia a few months ago. I grew up playing guitar and using a lot of harmonics…blew my mind what Tim does with a guitar. Math metal without all the distortion
Yep, of course is just my opinion but I tend to enjoy the clean tone a lot more
Justin,
That bit you added on about mice haha!!!
Thank you✨🙏🏼 😄😄
(Never stop the channel)
I’m with every other musician in this comment section. I definitely respect the skills. However I believe it’s awfully self-indulgent, I am simply not my cup of tea.
It’s in the vein of Dream Theatre. That nerdy oft forgotten corner of the music world.
That's interesting because I've heard quite a few musicians I respect say they like DT.
It's funny that I watched this video today, I was just talking with a friend yesterday about how scalloped frets are way less popular nowadays
Their name comes from the word polyphonic, which describes layered and interweaving sound
Polyphia is Very reminiscent of "Al Di meola"
Cool to see you cover a band like this. Perhaps now it is time to go full Djent/modern progressive metal and do something by the likes of Periphery, Tesseract and Monuments?
Yesssss
Or how about the originators, Meshuggah?
Dude picked his ear then put his British finger in his mouth, so much a fan of classical guitar. Free-thousand!
Incredible skills, G.O.A.T. was the first song I heard from them that blew me away, tried learning it, gave up pretty quickly!!!! If you like multi rhythmic technical guitarist, check out Tosin Abasi from Animals As Leaders! And one more thing, check out a British band called Sleep Token....you'll fricken love them!
something like levitate by sleep token would be on par for justin.
Polyphia is just a combination of Binaerpilot's Goof (2005) and Steve Vai's Flexible album (1984). Henson's playing is generic shredding mixed with Waves by Guthrie Govan (2006). I don't see why anyone calls it original nor innovative.
You have to be one of the most casually funny dudes ever. Thanks for reacting and sharing. Subscribed!
Is no one going to talk about how good the Main Man is looking today??? Absolutely tremendous sir
The definition is pretty much several independent consistent melodic voicings