Rob Quo – Let it Spin (2021)
Through the eclectic sounds of Let It Spin, Rob Quo and his band of long-time collaborators bring moments we all relate with to life. From realising that we are doing life all wrong to musing about growing old, he pulls you into stories and emotions that are easy to connect with. All of this is done to a soundscape that is masterfully unique drawing on different genres and styles.
The genre-defying sound of the EP is a melting pot of the skills, experience and styles of the musicians. While the EP was the brainchild of Quo and his producer Gus White, the exploration of the musical relationship between the featured artists brings a whole new edge. With something for everyone on the EP, listeners will be hooked and amazed by the versatility on display.
The EP opens with ‘Ain’t Even Liv’d’ which Quo wrote after seeing Harold & Maude. There is a jaunty tone to the melody that gets your foot tapping to the drums. The guitars twang against your ears while Quo’s vocals soothe their way across your ears. Every element of the track combines to create an easy vibe that lets you sink into the lyrics. Through the vocals, you are drawn to the conclusion that what you have been doing is not really living and just existing. It is a really gentle existential crisis that has you questioning the path that you are on.
‘Talk ‘Bout the Truth’ brings a different vibe with a stripped back feeling to the opening. There is a combination of folk and blues that comes through on this track. As you sway to the groovy movements of the track, your attention is drawn to the way truth is warped in the world. This is a really important topic that slides into your senses in the grooviest way possible. Quo’s vocals have an easy vibe to them as they flow and murmur into your ears. The laid-back vibe of this track is amazing and places you in a reflective mood that helps the messaging of the track hit a little harder.
The jazzy vibes of ‘Say No More’ have you in a dim jazz club just enjoying the music. Every melodic element enhances the jazz flow while making you want to close your eyes and give in to the music. The smoothness of the vocals is silken as they wash over the instrumentation. As you sink into the soft jazzy flows, you are drawn into the romantic search of the lyrics. There is a search for closure in the lyrics that enhances the acceptance that is woven into the vocal performance. Beneath the vocals, there is a piano line that you should really keep an ear out for that is wonderful.
‘This House’ has an earthier reflective tone to the guitar while retaining the foot-tapping beats that have woven their way through the entire EP. The lyrics muse on getting old alone while reflecting on the memories of a lifetime. This song is rather sad at times but this is masterfully tempered by the warmth of the melody. The harmonising vocals add nostalgia to the vocals while creating a hazy edge. It is very easy to sink into this single and let the warm afternoon light it creates soak into your bones. There is a chanting section to the single that brings a new vibe to the song that is really wonderful.
The EP comes to a close with ‘Single-Minded’ that has a blues-rock feeling to it. There is a rather epic feeling to the low levels of the melody as it builds a presence below the vocals. The touches of melancholy from the last track slide into this song but hit very differently. There is a dejection to the track that is enhanced by the almost gospel-rock stylings of the melody. This dejection is highlighted by the lyrics as they desperately search for romantic happiness while being unable to create healthy relationships. There is a plea for release from the endless cycle that just makes the single so heart-wrenching.
Rob Quo showcases his versatility through the genre-shifting tones of Let it Spin. Each track brings a different style and vibe that lets you know how versatile Quo is as an artist. While shifting genres, he brings a wash of emotions from despair and dejection to romantic searches.
Find out more about Rob Quo on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
