The impact of Game Over by Damien Musto is the silent impact of a realised truth that you cannot unsee the one that trust ultimately opens the cover and the first intentions become strategy, when the motives of someone become more focus and the veil of illusion is lifted. Based on decades of establishing a name in the indie scene of New Jersey, whether by his contributions to small a.m. and Hey Tiger or opening for Bon Jovi at MetLife Stadium, Musto is a veteran who carries a hunch into this analysis of betrayal masquerading as the connection. He is not guessing about these emotions, he has experienced them.
The song starts almost in a whisper. Steady, ghostly guitar notes move in and an atmosphere of quietness is established, thoughtful and intense, the silence which precedes everything becoming clear. With the expansion of the arrangement, Musto deepens his voice, not only becoming richer and warmer in tone, but also gaining strength and purpose. It is the sound of somebody stitching up a pattern, and seeing the truth, and seeing that they are no longer going to play along.
The emotional point of view of Game Over is the most powerful: Musto does not want to descend into self-pity. It is not a song of getting deceived but of realizing at last the game. He brings out the disquieting fact that there are individuals who will be looking at you not due to concern but in calculation and grab everything they can until it stops being convenient. The voice he uses is confident, consistent, with that quiet authority of a person who has just emerged out of the fog and into clarity.
The production, as the result of Musto and Jimmy Gnecco, as well as Barrett Yeretsian, is thoughtful and roomy. The drums provide a steady beat as the arrangement continues to expand slowly and the melody becomes heavier without ever becoming overwhelming of the message. All the details are purposeful, which supports the main truth of the song authenticity may be opposed, emulated, even manipulated but it cannot be outlived.
To anyone who ever loved, trusted, or gave without counting on the fact that it was one-sided, and only afterwards realises the relationship was not a reciprocal one, Game Over provides some sort of emotional release. It does not promote resentment, it promotes acknowledgement. Not only has Musto created a song that serves as a testament of his transformation as an honorable guitarist, but a respected solo artist, but he has also addressed the people who have discovered their own harsh reality. It is true to life as it does not want to avert its gaze. This is important since it demands honesty.
