Mary Sue & The Clementi Sound Appreciation Club Unpack Tradition, Taoism & Hip-Hop In New Album
The local rapper (centre) once again employs the trusty ensemble of the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club (Credit: Courtesy of Mary Sue)
Imagine settling in for a conscious rap experience, perhaps from a Griselda Records wordsmith; your ears primed for the deep grooves of funk and soul – the bedrock of a rich musical heritage. Yet, what unfolds from Mary Sue is strikingly different. His musical palette, deeply influenced by the profound wisdom of Taoist philosophy and the shimmering splendour of Southeast Asian music, transports you in his latest album, Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword. Picture the hypnotic shimmer of gamelan melting into smoky brass while ghostly melodies float and unravel above delicately crooked drums, all blending inextricably with samples that resonate deeply with the typical Singaporean listener, regardless of their belief system.
These aren't just obscure snippets; they're sounds that evoke the intimately familiar. It’s reminiscent of the resonant chants of priests kicking off a ceremony outside Yu Huang Gong, as heard in the album’s interlude; or the captivating swells of a Teochew opera performance, closing out the track "Minesweeper". It's the sonic equivalent of walking in on a Chinese grandmother engrossed in her seemingly endless Cantonese drama or the contemplative drone of a lecture on Taoist folklore during a guided tour of the Asian Civilisations Museum. All these elements are chopped and screwed with reverent delight, reinvented into something remarkably integral to the rapper's cultural story, yet still honouring its ancient roots.
The new album follows Mary Sue’s previous album, Voice Memos of a Winter in China which garnered critical acclaim (Credit: Courtesy of Mary Sue)
The band consists of Kenzo Nagari (guitar), Daniel Alex Chia (keys), Russ Seow (bass), Farizi Noorfauzi (drums) and Bryan De Rozario (saxophone) (Credit: Courtesy of Mary Sue)
Mary Sue masterfully creates, refashions, and curates a treasure trove of lyrical gold. He emulates the graceful spill of ink from a calligrapher's brush onto ancient canvases of carved ox scapulae and tortoise plastrons, or perhaps, he's like a skilled artisan sculpting the ethereal, translucent beauty of Tang Dynasty porcelain. The result isn't just lyrics that leave your jaw agape, but ones that are bound to deeply inspire you. Take "Tiger and the Ceiling", for instance, with lines like, "Put the weight on my back ‘til my knees start to keel / Better buckle tight if you have sagged your ideals." These words offer a piercing glimpse into Sue’s mindset: true strength, he suggests, comes from courageously bearing burdens and steadfastly refusing to compromise one's values.
But of course Mary Sue isn't a solo act here; this album stands as a testament to his tight collaboration with the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club. This five-piece ensemble of rising jazz talents from Singapore's local scene shares a creative bond reminiscent of the Free Nationals with Anderson .Paak. The album's title itself reflects this creative approach: a paper sword that folds before cutting or a porcelain shield that shatters upon collision. These powerful metaphors symbolise the record's ongoing, delicate tug-of-war between tradition and advancement, meaning and spectacle, and aesthetics and money.
(Credit: Courtesy of Mary Sue)
Listen to Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword by Mary Sue and the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club on Bandcamp. Follow Mary Sue and Clementi Sound Appreciation Club on socials to stay connected.
This contributor feature was written by Mishael Lee
Mishael Lee loves all things abrasive and heartfelt, both evident in his diverse taste in music, from Wolves In The Throne Room to Margo Guryan. When not plugged in, he's either writing about said music or deep in conversation with friends. You can find him at @mishlee___ on IG.
