CERTAIN SELF GOES BEYOND HIS USUAL FARE TO CRAFT “NO USE FOR RULES,” A DREAMY, ELECTRO-BASED SINGLE FULL OF BIG EMOTIONS

CERTAIN SELF GOES BEYOND HIS USUAL FARE TO CRAFT “NO USE FOR RULES,” A DREAMY, ELECTRO-BASED SINGLE FULL OF BIG EMOTIONS

Sometimes, the most catchy, distinctive music can come from the unlikeliest of places. Such is the case with Certain Self, who not only has experience as a cellist and punk rock drummer, but also has 10+ million streams to his name from producing songs for artists like Cassidi, Libby Larkin and Sizzy Rocket. Now, with his latest single, “No Use For Rules,” Certain Self is certainly making a name for himself in the realm of dreamy alt-pop. “No Use For Rules,” like some of the best songs from the 80’s, is full of electro beats, vibe-y 808s, soaring synths and filtered vocals that come together to form a searing portrait of a toxic relationship gone awry. Yet the vocals on the track sound more resigned than defiant as they reveal more and more details of the relationship in question, especially with the final line, “What do you get the person who has everything?” In all, “No Use For Rules” is a masterwork in production as well as performance, especially as Certain Self claims that this track:

“Pushes his production beyond the sparse, confessional bedroom-pop instrumentation found on his latest releases. Driven by echoey 808s, atmospheric synths and swirling keyboards, ‘No Use For Rules’ details the ups and downs of a toxic relationship, punctuated by the exasperated, washed out refrain – ‘tell me what to do with you.’ Despite these modern embellishments, ‘No Use For Rules’ is still essential Certain Self – driven by punchy drums, adorned with twee piano countermelodies, and centered on Self’s intimate, pensive vocals.“

Be sure to check out Certain Self on TikTok, Twitter, Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp and Instagram.