Steve Aoki has dropped his new album "Neon Future IV" and among its whopping 27 tracks (across two sides) is a song called "Last One To Know" which features the talents of Linkin Park band member Mike Shinoda. Shinoda co-wrote and sings on the song in a duet with Canadian pop sensation Lights. Aoki may be best-known for energetic electro-house but this song's production features major-key bright arpeggios and piano chords over a halftime future bass rhythm. It doesn't explode in the manner of his typical festival anthems, instead staying firmly in a radio-friendly pop space. The candid lyrics contrast with this upbeat vibe, with Shinoda and Lights bitterly ruminating on the emotional strain of miscommunications and failing relationships - the first verse begins, in fact, with Shinoda contemplating brazenly burning down an office. This is, of course, not the first time Aoki has teamed up with Linkin Park: he and the band dropped a joint single, the aggressive electro banger "A Light That Never Comes", in 2013, and they followed that up by working together on a melodic house track called "Darker Than Blood" for Aoki's 2015 studio album "Neon Future II". You can check out "Last One To Know" off the album "Neon Future IV" on Spotify.
Dont like commenting on band members personal lives really, but the bluntness of the lyrics do leave me questioning if everything is fine in Shinodaville. Other than that, this song is a jam. And Mike sounds great. Aoki x Shinoda tracks 3-3 so far. Maybe they should do an album together, or at least an EP.
This is my favorite of the Aoki collabs. I dig Shinoda's singing in the verses and the hook is catchier than ALTN and DTB in my eyes.
Quick transcription: Code: [VERSE 1] Got a matchbook in my pocket Got my hand on it right now If I lit a match in this office It'd burn this motherfucker down [PRE-CHORUS 1] I thought we were on the same side / crazy but solidified Tell me what you think has changed We were seeing eye-to-eye and, then / something started happening Before I had a chance to say / I know [CHORUS 1] I had a plan but I never had time I had a reason but I never had rhyme I should've known it was over but I'm The last one to know / the last one to know now [REFRAIN] (The last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know) [VERSE 2] (Had a) call about you this morning It said that you were moving on It took everything in that moment Just to hold my fucking tongue / just to hold my fucking tongue [PRE-CHORUS 2] Because we were on the same side / crazy but solidified Somehow, you got carried away We were seeing eye-to-eye and, then / something started happening I don't need you to explain / 'cause I know [CHORUS 2] I had a plan but I never had time I had a reason but I never had rhyme I should've known it was over but I'm The last one to know / the last one to know now [REFRAIN] (The last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) [CHORUS 3] I didn't know I was bringing you down I didn't lose what you thought you had found And, now, you're telling me you're leaving me / I'm The last one to know / the last one to know now [BRIDGE] Under a black sky / tell me that it's not my fault Is it so? Under a black sky / tell me that it's not my fault Is it so? Under a black sky / tell me that it's not my fault Is it so? Under a black sky / and I know [CHORUS 4] I had a plan but I never had time I had a reason but I never had rhyme I should've known it was over but I'm The last one to know / the last one to know now I didn't know I was bringing you down I didn't lose what you thought you had found And, now, you're telling me you're leaving me / I'm The last one to know / the last one to know now [OUTRO] (The last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) (Last one, last one / last one to know now) Last one to know / the last one to know now
I agree big time. I've enjoyed the previous EDM collabs. A Light That Never Comes still holds up today and is a really fun song imo, and Waiting for Tomorrow is a solid jam. However, this one just feels a bit... hollow? Everything feels just pretty average across the board. Though, I do enjoy how bright this song sounds. Might enjoy this one more in the summer lol
I feel like Shinoda's delivery in this song is very "Post Traumatic", how it's quite dynamic and makes you feel as if you're actually hearing something personal, private and raw. There's a bit of nuance that rarely appears in vocal performances with Linkin Park I also really like the bridge - it gets all dark out of nowhere and there are literally lyrics about black skies. Jarring but in a cool way
I personally really like it, and think both Lights and Mike had great deliveries, especially to fit the style.
I really like this song. I know we're not supposed to talk about the band's private life, but I feel like it's fair game to an extent when it's on full display in song lyrics. In usual Shinoda fashion, I feel like he's written something that could be interpreted as X, but really means Y, like how Until It's Gone is about their kids. This song sounds like it's about a relationship, but seems to work really well for something like how he felt about Talinda's marriage. Again, don't care to talk about how one should feel, but the lyrics definitely fit that sort of thing. Like "oh, I didn't find out you were planning this thing or feeling this way until all of a sudden when you announce you're getting married". I can't help but feel like he's not directly involved in whatever he's the last one to know about, but rather has emotional stake in a decision someone else has made.
That song is the best one and I wished that this song also sung by xxxtentacion. Because I really a big fan of xxxtentacion revenge merch.