{"id":"6583fa05-0948-43af-8d62-eb475e2a0240","title":"Chain of Custody","artist":"Alex Wilson","album":"Alex Goes Pop","year":2025,"genre":"Pop/Electronic/Funk","duration":"3:42","lyrics":"[Verse 1]\nBarcode wristband, name in ink,\nStamp hits paper with a courthouse thunk.\nHeadlines trimming what I didn’t say,\nI keep originals—file them away.\nIf you pass my story through a dozen hands,\nInitial every corner so the meaning stands.\nIf the seal’s unbroken, you can follow me,\nIf the label’s wrong, that isn’t me.\n\n[Pre-Chorus]\nSign here—date, time—spell it right,\nChain’s only strong as every line.\nIf you’re carrying truth, handle deliberately—\nDon’t drop my name for delivery.\n\n[Chorus]\nKeep my name in chain of custody—\nPass it wrong and it ain’t me.\nSeal it tight with the facts I breathe,\nScan it once—let the record read.\nKeep my name in chain of custody—\nEvery handoff, every sheet.\nIf you want the proof, come stand with me—\nKeep my name in chain of custody.\n\n[Post-Chorus]\n(chant) “Chain.” (answer) “Custody.”\n(chant) “Name.” (answer) “Only me.”\n\n[Verse 2]\nEditor’s margin with a redline kiss,\n“Make it broader”—nah, I’ll keep it crisp.\nDM from a stranger, “I was there that night,”\nFunny, I remember… you were out of sight.\nPublic gets the signal, not the raw debris,\nI hold the master—call it privacy.\nIf it needs a costume just to sound like truth,\nIt’s counterfeit—check the proof.\n\n[Pre-Chorus]\nSign here—date, time—spell it right,\nChain’s only strong as every line.\nIf you’re carrying truth, handle deliberately—\nDon’t drop my name for delivery.\n\n[Chorus]\nKeep my name in chain of custody—\nPass it wrong and it ain’t me.\nSeal it tight with the facts I breathe,\nScan it once—let the record read.\nKeep my name in chain of custody—\nEvery handoff, every sheet.\nIf you want the proof, come stand with me—\nKeep my name in chain of custody.\n\n[Bridge] (drop → pen-clicks + clap stack)\nExhibit A: the way I stand,\nExhibit B: these open hands.\nExhibit C: a quiet room—\nYou’ll hear the truth without a tune.\nIf the tape turns red, then someone lied;\nBreak the seal, and you break your side.\nI’m not forgeries or borrowed gloss—\nCheck the log before the toss.\n\n[Final Chorus] (bigger, gang vox)\nKeep my name in chain of custody—\nPass it wrong and it ain’t me.\nStamp it clean where the pages meet,\nHands to heart like a sworn decree.\nKeep my name in chain of custody—\nEvery handoff, every sheet.\nIf you want the proof, come walk with me—\nKeep my name in chain of custody.\n\n[Tag]\nReturn to sender if altered.","notes":"Instrumentation: The Juno pad bed provides a subtle, evolving texture throughout the song. Layer a higher octave synth string pad with a slow attack to add depth in the choruses. The clean funk guitar 'chucks' should be crisp and percussive, emphasizing the off-beats. The bright piano stabs on 'chain of custody' moments could use a touch of reverb and a slight delay to make them stand out.\n\nVocals: Experiment with different doubling techniques on the hooks in the chorus. Try a tight, almost unison double for the first pass, and a wider, more airy double for the final chorus to create a sense of scale. The gang chant should be recorded with multiple voices and then subtly processed to create a sense of a crowd without sounding muddy.\n\nDynamics: Pay careful attention to the dynamic build throughout the song. Start the verses relatively dry and intimate, gradually adding layers of instrumentation and effects as the song progresses to the bridge. The bridge should be a significant dynamic drop, focusing on the pen clicks and claps before exploding back into the final chorus with full force.\n\nMixing: Ensure that the synth bass is well-defined in the low end without overpowering the kick drum. The sidechain compression on the synth bass should be subtle but noticeable, creating a rhythmic pulse that drives the song forward. Carefully balance the vocals to ensure clarity and intelligibility, especially in the choruses where there are multiple layers of vocals and instrumentation.","description":"A defiant, sleek pop strut that explores the theme of narrative control in the age of misinformation. Alex Wilson's baritone voice delivers a powerful message about accuracy and proof over rumor, using administrative and legal metaphors to create a compelling human story. The song builds from conversational verses to a beltable chorus and a stadium-ready bridge, culminating in a gang vocal-driven finale. The production is tight and modern, with elements of funk and electronic music.","image_url":"https://v3b.fal.media/files/b/elephant/QSsVleOY9ow7SCPAwQmS9.jpg","audio_url":"","created_at":"2025-10-10T20:37:16.754+00:00"}