Jake Roberts – Friday Night Dancing (2020)
Hailing from Bathgate, Scotland, Jake Roberts is a charming, calming and inspirational musical talent. The UK-based solo artist came crashing onto the music scene in 2020, but the newbie status didn’t hold him back at all. Last year Roberts was featured in The Daily Record and named the “Solo Indie Artist of the Year” by The 2020 Indies Awards. Alongside his award-winning activities, Roberts has been featured on various radio stations noted as the “one to watch for 2020” by Belter Radio. Following the well-received EP The Underground Scene, Roberts releases his new single ‘Friday Night Dancing’.
A reflective track, Roberts reflects not only on the heartache associated with failed relationships, but also the complex mental health consequences thereof. Considering the pain of the track’s theme, one would assume ‘Friday Night Dancing’ to be a tragic ballad; however, the single instigates a sense of hopefulness in its isolation. What I mean is, Roberts takes the desperation of a break-up and turns it on head inspiring the listener to overcome challenges by dancing alone.
“The track was written over a year’s period. Whenever I was feeling down, struggling mentally, I would add to the track lyrically and melodically. The lyrics are based on feelings I’ve had when I was at my lowest. The song is about the selection of me in my lowest mental state which here highlights a break-up.” – Jake Roberts on ‘Friday Night Dancing’
Believe it or not, ‘Friday Night Dancing’ almost didn’t see the light of day. It was only after industry professional James McKay “messed about with the synths and backing vocals” did the track hold enough weight to be released – all recorded at McKay’s home studio in West Lothian. Personally, I’m quite pleased this track made the cut. The harmony between Roberts distinctive vocals and soothing instrumentation make ‘Friday Night Dancing’ sincere and moving with delicate complexity underlying the effortless melody.
For more from Jake Roberts check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
