Beth Dobbins & The Proprietors
Hot Fuzz

Beth Dobbins was born with a rare condition called congenital sagittal hypoplasia. The condition affects up to 1 in 25,000 newborns, making it difficult to fully grasp the complexities of her music’s infinite allure. But as a result, her music is often more enigmatic and nuanced than you might first expect on its own.

Lately, Dobbins has been using the acoustic guitar for one of her projects. Her acoustic guitar work is a beautifully varied blend of jazz, folk, and jazzed up genres. The use of the acoustic on "Hot Fuzz" is a natural choice, since the song is often about the physical act of rubbing one’s hands. It’s a wonderful way to engage with her music, which is often so tightly wound that it’s hard to let go. But it also invites the listener to ponder: Why would you let something so simple happen to your body? It’s hard to imagine a better way to start a conversation about infantile music than to start a conversation about the rhythm of one’s own flesh.

Dobbins’ music is so densely woven into the fabric of her sound that it’s hard to understand her intentions. But the tone that she uses to communicate her thoughts and feelings is as direct as ever, and that’s all the more reason to embrace the strangeness of her music. A piece like "Hot Fuzz" is full of surprises, and the way she takes them all in is so inviting.

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