A Self At Odds: Imitation (how to become you) Review
Design by Sophie Parrish
By Sophie Parrish
Doggone can do it all. Producing, recording, songwriting, singing…his creative vision is one that spans every mode of production, and it’s evident through his consistent delivery. Within a year and half, he’s released six singles, all intentionally paired with a visual aid and entirely his own creative direction, of course.
Much like Doggone’s tracks, with their familiar mystique and always featuring the recurring character William, the videos have a similar off-putting quality. Shot on handheld camcorders accompanied by eerie, ambient whispers and unintelligible configurations of noise, Doggone has created a unique resonance between screen and sound. In the videos, the faceless William becomes an object of surveillance for videos that document seemingly mundane moments; tying his shoes, opening a DVD case, enjoying his lunch break. Yet, the distinction between William and Doggone is unclear. With William representing self-acceptance, “Open arms and / Closed hands, I’m not fighting it anymore,” and Doggone embodying self-sabotage, “You know I can’t stand up for anything,” the two collide in their efforts to imitate. Their actions mirror each other and with lyrics like “I’ll never decide, who am I living inside of/ Is his life a reflection of mine,” it becomes increasingly clear that they are one in the same. A conjoined entity working against each other/themself—a sense of self forced in two by conformity.
In “Imitation (how to become you),” this longing for conformity clashes with an underlying desperation for acceptance. Doggone begins the track separating himself from William, insisting that he’s growing tired of the bickering intrinsic to their opposed sense of self. Doggone’s vocals are the clearest they’ve ever been here, both in how it cuts through the track’s electronic distortion and in his lyrical directness as he cries out “And I don’t owe you an explanation/ I’m asking you to leave me alone.” Where Doggone’s typical style is chock-full of excessive reverb and crunchy noise generated by layers upon layers of guitar, on this track there is a distinct quiet that simmers in the moments between verses, where the fog of distortion briefly clears. Matching the clarity Doggone seems to be expressing—particularly with lyrics like “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready again/ But I feel better/ Pretending I didn’t want to live in your skin/ My life is an imitation/ Of you”—is the crisp quality of the production. Every element is toned down, giving Doggone the room to highlight his lyricism and beautiful voice. Both William and Doggone’s struggle to separate is neverending and they continuously lose their identities as time goes on.
Their connection cannot be severed and their personhood continuously gets jumbled along the way. The track opens with “I’m asking you to leave me alone,” and, in a reversal that demonstrates their unsuccessful battle, concludes with “You’re asking me to leave you alone.” There is a level of awareness between William and Doggone, an agreement that their conjoinement is both damaging yet familiar. Yet, splitting from each other would be catastrophic. To remove each other/themself would be a loss of self, direction, and all perception of the world that has been built on this delicate balance of acceptance and sabotage. The final lyrics “I know you so well/ It’s all that I know” reinforces the complexity of William and the Doggone’s relationship, leaving their story unfinished and oh-so haunting.
The track is honest, vulnerable, and incredibly catchy. It’s everything I want from Doggone: a distinct style of production, a mysterious and captivating throughline, and a vocal performance that underscores why he continues to deliver with every single.