OpCritical kicks off “Guillotine” with a striking outburst of sound. The strings are quick, sharp and then the guitars and a powerful electronic bass line. From the beginning it's monumental and film-sound-like, like a rock song played by a symphony orchestra. It doesn't take a long time to get started.
Throughout the track, the band uses a combination of orchestral and electronic sounds. The orchestral elements, with brass and strings, give it a bigger sound. The song alternates between quiet and intense moments, with the heavier guitar parts adding weight to the choruses.
The voices are not subdued or inhibited. Group vocals are used at key moments, and make the song sound larger and more like a group of people singing, rather than one person. This fits with the song's subject, the French Revolution, which discusses inequality and the disparity between rich and poor.
“Guillotine” is the third in a trilogy of singles inspired by this theme. Even if you don't know the previous songs, the main idea will be understood. OpCritical shows how history is important to examining the present – the old problems can re-emerge if they aren't addressed.
The song is well balanced musically. It holds back before introducing the fuller sound and the difference between the quieter verses and heavier parts give the song its form. The production seems to be well orchestrated. All of the volume and intensity changes appear to have a reason.
The most outstanding thing about it is the combination of orchestral size and rock energy. It's not about being a pretty song, and it isn't trying to be. OpCritical desires the music to be as big as the subject they are speaking about. The sound adds gravitas to the message, but it doesn't detract from the rock aspect of the track.
I'm with the band on this but the song doesn't let me forget it. It's definitely designed to be heard as a statement and it certainly is. The cinematic sound also enhances the historical portrayal and realism. At the end, the sense of urgency remains, whether you characterize the message as that or not.
