Tony Frissore is back, this time joining forces with AXIOM on a new single titled “Stolen Valor” and I really like what they’ve made together. It’s built more around spoken word than a conventional rap song, with AXIOM carrying the story while Tony keeps the music underneath him.
AXIOM speaks about the complicated relationship between military service and the institution connected to it. The song looks at what happens when something that once gave a person purpose and identity starts to leave them questioning what it represents. There is anger in the writing, but also sadness and disappointment. It comes across as one person’s account rather than an attempt to speak for every veteran, and that makes the subject easier to take in on its own terms.
The instrumental is simple which works well here. It gives AXIOM room to get his thoughts across without competing with the words. Tony knows when to keep things restrained, and the production never gets in the way of the message. The mix is spot on too, everything sits where it should and the track sounds clear and polished without taking attention away from the performance.
I’ve always liked Tony’s sound and the musical direction he takes with these releases. He has a way of keeping me listening right through to the last second and this collaboration is another good example. AXIOM brings something personal to the track and Tony gives those words a really good setting. I enjoyed this one and I’d love to hear more from Tony next year.
