BC Roadz – Comfort Blues (2022)
Coining himself a “blues rapper”, US-based BC Roadz brings together elements of blues, hip hop and dance music in a unique sound. With a degree of obscurity in its experimental soundscape, BC Roadz is a truly original artist. This is my introduction to him, but he has been making music for almost a decade. In that time, however, he has progressed from an avant-garde acoustic style to something far more eclectic. The latest addition to his discography is ‘Comfort Blues’.
Featured on notable blogs from Rising Artists Blog, Sinusoidal Music, YMX, and Roadie Music, BC Roadz is reaching an international audience. Following his EP, I HATE EVERYTHING (created with his musical robot Doso Rubato), ‘Comfort Blues’ adopts a more blues-influenced sound tinged with some hip-hop rapping. Combining his vocal gymnastics with dynamic guitars and piano, ‘Comfort Blues’ is a toe-tapping melody with a lot of attitude. Definitely showcasing his love for BB King, the blues guitar is powerful with a chilled-out vibe – you cannot listen to this track without bopping your head to the smoky melody.
What I find intriguing about ‘Comfort Blues’ is how different it is from his previous work highlighting his versatility as an artist. Exposing a grittiness of Bayou blues with the smooth flow of jazz meets soul, BC Roadz wraps you up in a comfortable blanket before sending you into a kaleidoscopic whirlpool of sound. Yet, while the melodic arrangement certainly keeps you enthralled, it is the juxtaposition between chilled-out vibes and poignant lyricism that captivates me.
A mesmerising story that connects with listeners on a deeper level, BC Roadz explains that ‘Comfort Blues’ “…is about our protagonist’s views on spirituality, psychedelics and life in general…provocative but heartfelt, this track is mostly about the pain that we all share, no matter how much religion or substance use is involved.” I have to agree that it is provocative but with a strong degree of sincerity enhancing the track’s intense intimacy.
Exquisite and beautifully composed, BC Roadz slithers in through your ear and reverberates around your cranium with the hypnotic single ‘Comfort Blues’.
