Naked Minds Caught Between Space And Time

Kanye West “Ghost Town”

“Ghost Town” threads together a series of beautiful moments of vulnerability, but it’s all a bit loose and off-kilter like the ramblings of a sentimental drunk. And like, this is a song where Kanye says he sometimes talks “like I drank all the wine,” so I assume this effect is intentional.

Some of the rawest feelings in the song get outsourced to other vocalists – a heartbreaking quote from “Take Me For A Little While,” a highly emotive John Legend seemingly making up his part on the spot, and an outro section by 070 Shake which is somehow both depressingly bleak and triumphant. These parts bracket West’s own verse in the middle of the track, and it sounds a bit like he’s using them as a sort of protective barrier. West’s voice on his verse has a warmth and shine to it that calls back to his earliest work. He’s half-singing everything, but there’s nothing masking or altering his voice. He sounds…happy. Content. Self-aware. Optimistic that the worst is now behind him. I’m certain he intends this to be an olive branch to the world. I think he’s very sincere, or at least he is on this song.

I have no idea who is playing guitar on this song – there is no official credit for this, but I assume it’s the guy from Francis and the Lights since he’s listed as a contributing producer – but that part is crucial to the success of this song. It’s a loud, emotionally wrenching part, but it’s layered into the composition in such a way that you can feel its effect without paying it much attention. The distorted guitar chords seem to slash around Legend’s yelping, and grind like gears around the “Take Me For A Little While” part. It’s more melodic and poignant during 070 Shake’s sequence, adding both anthemic oomph and a touch of grace. It drops out entirely during West’s verse, further emphasizing this barrier around him and how free and gentle he sounds when he’s on the mic.

Buy it from Amazon.