Rhyme Report

Published on February 4th, 2020 | by Marilyn Reles

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Is It Possible To Release A Song That Everyone Can Relate To? Well, Dylan Owen Just Did.

Some of the biggest complaints about today’s rap music involve the constant glorification of drugs and alcohol, the consistent misogyny and the inability to comprehend let alone relate to what has been coined ‘mumble rap’. So it’s undoubtedly refreshing when an artist releases a track that doesn’t encourage the use of xanax, respects women, and tells a story about something that we all have – a past. Every living being on this earth has a past. And every living being is reading this in the present. Unfortunately, our futures are a little less assured but, that said, we all have the ability to reflect and remember. Dylan Owen’s newest track “We Were Only Kids Then” was written after seeing old friends of his and feeling like they couldn’t pick up where they left off. The amount of time that had passed since the last time they saw one another was riddled with too many life changes to count. They had all changed – this in turn, created a sentimental longing for what once was.

Dylan dropped the video for “We Were Only Kids Then” today. In it, the masks he wears represent how much him and each of his friends had changed over the years; the disguises describe the idea that they’ve turned into totally new people. But on the inside, something always remains the same.

The video takes place in a warehouse-like building, stringed lights creating the mood you get from basement or backyard parties. It’s a warm aesthetic, Dylan in the foreground smiling as he revisits the past with a positive outlook. Lyrics pass the screen as the video progresses – a strong choice for an artist whose fans more then likely remember all of the words to his songs. In this song, Dylan sends a meaningful reminder that living in the present moment is the best way to embrace our constant state of evolution. Always offering a nugget of wisdom, “We Were Only Kids Then” accepts the notion that life itself is the destination and that our journey represents the finish line we continually strive for. I don’t know about you but, that gives me a little peace of mind.

“See what I realize, there are no arrival points / Life is just a destination we’ve been speeding past, so if you ever steal the moment then don’t keep it trapped”

Our constant state of growing can either remove layers and unseeable walls or it can do the opposite, using past hurt as a reason to guard oneself from emotional connections. In this track, the chorus seems to refer to the past as a simpler time even though we at the core are still very much the same. But because we’ve grown, we’ve lost some sense of imagination and an honest connection to our dreams. Delivering messages that every regular kid can relate to, he paints a portrait of stagnation that can come with small town American living.

With each hit, Dylan offers listeners a certain amount of depth and wisdom that tends to lack in modern day Hip Hop. He delivers a unique break from the norm by impressively pairing poetry with engaging narratives about real life experiences as well as an inner dialogue that many don’t realize they even have. This ability is easily one of the reasons he attracts such a loyal fan base. Fans in NYC showed up to his listening party last week at Black Cat LES on the lower east side of Manhattan. The turn out was remarkable – devoted supporters lined up at the merch table waiting to have their Polaroid added to Dylan’s book of memories from past shows. Am I the only one who sees the theme of nostalgia here? The show was brilliantly performed by him and his backing band – and at the very end Dylan arranged a group photo with him and the people who help to make everything possible – his fans.

Be sure to check out Dylan’s latest performance on Paste LIVE sessions here.

And follow Dylan Owen on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter to stay up to date on the latest news.



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