Terouz - Outstanding
TEROUZ MESMERIZES ON ‘OUTSTANDING’
Montreal-based hypno-noir artist Terouz released the music video for his latest single a few days ago. Entitled “Outstanding,” the song’s title is more than appropriate, as it is indeed outstanding.
Terouz
Born in Cairo, Terouz, aka Karim Terouz, relocated to Montreal in 2008, where he fronted his brassy, folk-rock quintet The Rising Few. The band dropped Sinners On St-Laurent in 2014, followed by another album, Adult Entertainment, in 2017.
The following year, Terouz revamped his sound, infusing his music with dancehall beats and electro-rock elements, while modulating his vocals into “Bowie-esque” savors. The result is a swanky muscular sound full of hypno-noir flair.
According to Terouz, his sonic transformation transpired after the loss of his father: “Life as you know it takes a darker shade, when you lose a loving parent. As if a grey, film-thin veil has been dropped in front of your eye sight. Your entire existence is shaken. It was that massive emotional blow that saw me re-emerge as the hypnotic, noir TEROUZ.”
Terouz defines the feel and mood of “Outstanding,” saying, “It’s like Cohen on a treadmill!”
It’s a grand voice, taut and voluptuous, nuanced with tight decisive flow.
“Outstanding” opens on a pulsing bassline backed by gleaming guitar accents flowing into an infectiously muscle-bound rhythm, relentlessly driving, exuding dark affective energy. The combination of surging dance-like impetus and opaque flavors imbues the tune with wickedly erotic sensations rife with portentous intensity.
Terouz’s voice, tumescent with yawning tones, infuses the lyrics with gripping, electrifying textures atop tantalizing thick surface hues. It’s a grand voice, taut and voluptuous, nuanced with tight decisive flow.
The video, directed by Alexandre Desrochers-Coderre, shot in black and white, depicts images of boxers sparring in the ring juxtaposed against Terouz singing into a microphone. The visuals exude a magnetic attraction mirroring the palpable momentum of the music.
“Outstanding” is better than excellent, entering the rarified realm of superlative. This is one of the best tracks of the year, sexy, powerful, and inspiring. Damn! Terouz has it going on!
