Not all songs have to express intricate ideas, needing dissection over several listens. After all, music can totally be intended to 'chill out,' and that's the intention of The Ram's latest EP "The Space Cowboy." The indie act has put out a hypnagogic yet take-it-easy record that prevails in both instrumentation and vocals. A sonic delicacy, we had to cover this one for its uncanny yet nuanced features.
The Ram is a seasoned singer-songwriter, exhibiting experience and a knack for musicality rare to find in artists who have released their first record only years back. Not so long ago, the American crooner sought to make a mark in the industry by revealing his first full-fledged album "To Love a Wild Fire." Right off the bat, this introductory compilation is distinctive for its expressive songwriting, performed by the smooth baritone cutting through the bucolic Americana/Country style compositions. His reflective vocals resonate with the Southern blues-enriched Country & Western sound, displaying effortlessly a range that turns delicate and emotive one moment, raspy and intense the other. "Keep Warm," from the said album is a narrative tune, grabbing attention with the harmonica riffs and stripped-down rock ensemble. Going further into recent releases, there are other notable tracks like "New Day Dawn" (a funky wah-wah guitar featuring blues rock number) and "Do It Right” (a jazzy track with plucky upright bass and lush sax). As a bonus for listeners, most EPs contain instrumental or alternative versions.
"Space Cowboy" is yet another unconventional step taken by the Ram: not wanting to stay in the confines of one particular style, the latest release from the Californian troubadour is soaked in psychedelic textures. We are introduced to the gravelly and soulful rendition, accentuated by the groovy flow of swanky bassline and drums; the melody is supplied by the tastefully distorted electric piano, fulfilling 60s Acid-inspired and warm vintage aesthetics, rendering the composition with a sense of fluency and cool suavity. Deep and resonating, the vocals cruise over the funky rhythms and narrate a story set in a local surfing spot, where psychedelics induced a celestial journey under the moonlit and starry sky (we recommend tuning into the music video, which provides a rich visual aid of a spaceman floating through vibrant, color-shifting waves).
Listen to "Space Cowboy" on Spotify and YouTube, and stay up-to-date with The Ram and his upcoming projects on Instagram.
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