I Found A Monster" by Seth Schaeffer is a powerful debut from the get-go. Seth, a Nashville filmmaker and composer, has a knack for storytelling in this debut single. The song is dark but also uplifting, with sweeping orchestral sounds and gritty low guitars creating tension that lingered long after the song was over.
His voice is the focal point of all things. It's intense and emotional, but most of all, it feels believable. His vulnerability as a singer is exactly as much as the themes of the song are about facing difficult parts of yourself and learning to accept them. Sometimes, he seems to be singing to the other part of you that's been waiting to come out.
Much of the character of the song comes from the instrumentation. Brass horns come at the right moments and create drama as if in a film. The arrangement is designed to allow strings to flow through it without overwhelming the listener. There are lots of various components at play, but they all come together in a natural way. The production is crisp and transparent, allowing all the details to be heard and drawing in the listener further into the song's unsettling but invigorating atmosphere.
I find it fascinating that Schaeffer's inspiration comes from artists like Hans Zimmer and Trent Reznor but doesn't sound like either of them. The emotional scale and the textured way of working with sound can be heard, but he moulds them into his own. The strings and trumpet add a spirited energy, while Emily Hatch's vocals add another layer.
The song is really about confronting yourself and not wearing a mask. “It's a world of forgettable songs, but “I Found A Monster” sticks with you.” It remains with me, stirring something within, and reminding me of the power, the personal, the human nature of music.
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