CD: Example - Playing in the Shadows | reviews, news & interviews
CD: Example - Playing in the Shadows
CD: Example - Playing in the Shadows
British rap pop star on bouncy if predictable form
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/mast_image_landscape/public/mastimages/2690c23a28b3bd08e64d98338a177cd5.jpg?itok=YEwwwg6-)
Better him than Black Eyed Peas, eh? Will.I.Am never came up with a line like, "Just sittin' here chillin' in the Batcave/ Whilst listening to Nick Cave/ Last night was a sick rave". In fact, that lively sliver of channel-hopping doggerel pretty much sums up Example. His lyricism has both cheese and cheek but is undeniably compulsive, laced with bubblegum hedonism. As for the music backing him, it's 21st-century electronic homogeny run riot - bangin' Euro-trance, dubstep, drum and bass, a dash of hip hop, soft-rock tropes, no shortage of melodies and big breakdowns.
Better him than Black Eyed Peas, eh? Will.I.Am never came up with a line like, "Just sittin' here chillin' in the Batcave/ Whilst listening to Nick Cave/ Last night was a sick rave". In fact, that lively sliver of channel-hopping doggerel pretty much sums up Example. His lyricism has both cheese and cheek but is undeniably compulsive, laced with bubblegum hedonism. As for the music backing him, it's 21st-century electronic homogeny run riot - bangin' Euro-trance, dubstep, drum and bass, a dash of hip hop, soft-rock tropes, no shortage of melodies and big breakdowns.
Share this article
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music
![A conversation across time: Meshell Ndegeocello](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/No%20More%20Water.jpg?itok=24wDA3py)
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/896350.jpg?itok=6_LblfjO)
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/strangenesse1.jpg?itok=XXcoA2Yu)
![As ever, looking the part](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Screenshot%202024-07-22%20201257.png?itok=2zJqbqUe)
![The Very Things GXL: still weird and wonderful](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Very%20Things_Mr%20Arc%20Eye%20album%20front%203000px-sq.jpg?itok=N5yzSnSf)
!['A well-paced set that reflected the variety of her music-making'](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Madeleine%20Peyroux%20Barbican%20-%20Mark%20Allen.jpg?itok=BC98Xvv5)
![Kevin Fowley's 'À Feu Doux': repeated listening reveals structure](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/Kevin%20Fowley%20-%20%C3%80%20Feu%20Doux.jpg?itok=vsjnGnCK)
![Barry Ryan in 1968](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/barry%20ryan%201968_header.jpg?itok=KvRj_eQ8)
![Not quite the White Album](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/deep.png?itok=HGvr7itC)
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/slowly%20rolling%20camera.jpg?itok=Hp7VLwgR)
![](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/cover%20Lava%20La%20Rue%20-%20Starface.jpg?itok=VFhlLw0n)
![Adding an ethereal touch](https://theartsdesk.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/mastimages/The%20Raveonettes%20-%20Sing...%20Cover.jpg?itok=m27skxpe)
Add comment