1S0 Puts Modern Romance Under The Microscope On “Cut 7”

At first, “Cut 7” sounds like the beginning of a fairly familiar love story. There's attraction, talk of getting together and the possibility of something developing. Then money enters the conversation, and suddenly the relationship looks rather different.

That's the starting point for Bristol artist 1S0's debut single (via Now Listen), which takes a playful approach to a subject that becomes increasingly uncomfortable as the song progresses. The couple at its centre are drawn to each other, but their expectations are tied up with financial success and the lifestyle that comes with it.

There's plenty to unpack in the lyrics, particularly the way both characters become caught up in the pursuit of wealth. 1S0 doesn't present this as a straightforward case of one person taking advantage of the other. Both are part of a culture that has taught them to associate money with happiness and personal worth.

Musically, the track has another surprise up its sleeve. Its alternative hip-hop production takes a dramatic turn towards the end, with the guitar and drums reversing before an intense solo takes over.

It's a memorable contrast to the song's opening, which begins with the language of romance and ends somewhere considerably darker. “Cut 7” makes an interesting case for looking beyond the surface of what people want, and what they're prepared to sacrifice to get it. Tap in and hit play below: