Synth Single Review: “The King of Miami’’ by LAU
Review by Karl Magi
LAU’s The King of Miami hints at an inevitable downfall, with retribution looming. An acoustic guitar strums as the giant bass surges and flashing chords fly past. LAU speaks the Spanish opening and the English lyrics emphasize that darkness. A siren howls as the leaping low end moves with sharp chimes and LAU’s powerful, expressive voice captures the shadow and threat in the lyrics.
Brassy notes trumpet out as metallic chimes ring while the undulating bass growls. LAU captures all of the story’s power with her luscious voice while the drums keep guiding the music. A Spanish guitar twinkles and the chorus erupts with strength and shadow while the bass heaves and the chimes flicker. The horn section has a bright retort while the drums and bass press on.
I enjoy the way in which LAU delivers her performance, while the spoken-word part is touched by Spanish guitar. The bass thuds and Brian Skeel’s electric guitar solo flies, dynamic and intricate, as the low end pushes forward. Again, the chorus explodes, climbing above the brassy notes and chimes as the track’s heartbeat throbs. As the song comes to an end, the passion reaches a fever pitch before silence falls.
The narrator says in Spanish, "This business has no name. Killing your own men—blood is on your hands. You feel cornered." She adds that the song's subject wouldn't tell his mother, "how you're killing for power," as she points out that he's the king of Miami and "you're burning it with fire."
Our storyteller says that the song's subject has a "power addiction, like a game of cards," as he chooses who lives and who dies. She adds that "private jets and ammunition really can't take you that far."
Now, the narrator says that the main character buys politicians and pays off the police. She adds that "a little immunity can't help a god," as she points out that he'll get retribution "but for now, you gotta try to hide the cash in offshore accounts." She concludes by saying that the song's subject has "no remorse," while he creates enormous pain that keeps getting worse and worse.
