FREEQUENCY3 - 517 Days (2023) Review

517 DAYS is the debut EP from Manchester rapper, FREEQUENCY3. It is a powerful, hard hitting account of how her life changed drastically overnight due to a serious health condition. Within it, she explains the impact of going from a highly active person (national level trampolinist and dancer) to experiencing intense physical pain and mobility problems. 517 DAYS (the length of time she’d been living with the condition when writing the first song,) sees her grapple to understand her new circumstances and identity and ultimately sees her accept these changes and forge a meaningful way forward. FREEQUENCY3 charts her journey honestly, eloquently and with a huge amount of dignity and patience. 

   The EP was facilitated by The Horsfall and 42nd Street, and a short film was made to accompany it. Shot by Luca Video, it serves as a music video and has some nice outtakes of the creative process at the end. With the dream team of vocalist Karis Jade, and producers Feaz and Sonus, FREEQUENCY3 takes you with her on her life changing journey.

   The first track, ‘What Have You Done?’ opens with heartfelt singing leading into a boombap beat by Feaz, complete with warped piano and Spanish guitar. With expert storytelling and skillful wordplay, FREEQUENCY3 describes the impact of constantly being questioned about her health condition, despite not even having the answers herself. The song discusses how invasive this can feel and asks the listener to put themselves in her position, inverting the questions that she faces so regularly.

   Track 2, ‘Who Am I?’ was again produced by Feaz and begins with sombre piano and a sample of people chatting and laughing in the background. This background noise is significant as it’s on this track that FREEQUENCY3 talks about feeling isolated, trapped and left behind by friends and society. Flowing smoothly over the reflective beat, she describes her feelings of despair and hopelessness and the immense struggle to cope with both the physical and mental pain of her new life situation. ‘Who Am I?’ sees the rapper try to get to grips with her new identity now that she has a disability. Amongst all the pain, confusion and internal battles, music emerges as her solace and saviour to help her rise above her situation. This is an incredibly moving song, and the heart of the EP for me. The clever storytelling, word play and vivid imagery all culminate in the final chorus which is devastatingly powerful. Written and sang by Karis Jade, the beautiful vocals and poignant lyrics hit straight to the core.

   ‘Stronger Than I Ever Knew’ is a fiercely victorious track which closes the EP on a high note. Produced by Sonus, the beat takes no prisoners with its triumphant trumpets, soulful vocals and epic choral singing. The bouncy beat is the perfect backdrop for FREEQUENCY3 to explore the blessings that exist alongside her new circumstances. There is a sense of acceptance and peace as she considers the new opportunities that the changes have brought her. It is clear that music is her saving grace and that it has helped her to forge a meaningful way forward. It’s a very upbeat, optimistic and personal track. Containing audio from the rapper’s mum, FREEQUENCY3 uses this song to pay homage to the family and friends who have supported her through her difficult times. This heartfelt and moving track is full of pride and passion, and is a testament to FREEQUENCY3’s strength, resilience and irrepressible spirit.

    517 DAYS is a masterfully crafted, honest and thought provoking account of how life can be torn apart, but ultimately rebuilt. Inspiring stuff!

FREEQUENCY3’s Reflections

What’s your favourite song on the EP?

I think probably the second song ‘Who Am I?’ Lyrically, it's written in such a vulnerable but wholesome way. The song basically addresses all of the real feelings I was feeling and every single lyric, every single bit is true. It’s a very special song. It addresses a lot of what I needed to say, and I like the way it builds. When people ask how you are, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I'm fine’, but really what I'm feeling is what I'm feeling in ‘Who Am I?’

What are the most important couple of bars?

 “What would you do if your thoughts turned into pain? Abandon yourself or love your brain?” The irony of ‘What Have You Done?’ is the question, so I wanted to start the verse with a question. My thoughts would literally turn into pain. I couldn't manage stress or anything going on because my body would physically feel pain. So what the **** do you do? 

 Do you think it's helped to change people's perspectives of what it's like to have a disability?

 I think it has from conversations that I've had with people around making assumptions of people's invisible disabilities. One of the intentions is that it makes people who aren't seen or heard feel seen and heard.  I think one of the things that has changed for those who hear the song or hear me perform live is that I don't think they'll go up to another person who's on crutches and ask them ‘what have you done?’ They'll actually think twice before doing so.