Case Study - Outlier

Case Study 

The in-depth analysis of the harmonic melodic and rhythmic elements of Outlier as seen through the roles of individual instruments. 

In Outlier, there are 4 main motifs that get repeated more than once. 1st Motif 0:00 | 2nd Motif 1:07 | 3rd Motif 2:00| 4th Motif 5:53| 

Structure 

Intro | A | B | A1 | C | A2 | B2 | C2 | D 

Horns - In Outlier, the horns section is one of the key features along with the guitar and the synth keys. They play a pre written solo in section 

Keys -  The keys doesn't have many leading lines like other instruments. It mainly plays the chord structure which enables other instruments to have lead roles.  

Guitar - the guitar carries the riff that happens throughout most of the song, which also gives the same role as chords on a keyboard. It gives the harmony and aids the chord structure which comes in later on. The guitar also take some lead roles, for example there are riffs/ counter melodies that correspond with some of the horn and synth lines. (0:40)

Bass - the bass is played on a moog keybass but still give that sound of a bass but with added effects. The bass line follows the guitar line which gives that repeating phrase  

Drums and Percussion - Provides crucial fills to indicate the next section. The complexity changes the the feel of that sections. For example, during the sax solo, the drums are only there to keep the pulse with the added pushes to express the phrasing.