Frank Joshua – Winter Cowboy (2023)
Unravelling complex existential concepts in soothing, dream-pop slicks of sound, singer-songwriter Frank Joshua takes the intricacy of reality dosing it with an insightful wash of music. When we left Joshua, he was questioning the reason why people chose to hide but want everyone to know about it in ‘Seeking To Hide’. In ‘Patent Leather Car’ we travelled to a place of solace but in something that isn’t necessarily good for you. Today, we take a gander at Joshua’s most recent jump into existential crises with ‘Winter Cowboy’.
On the heels of his remixed single ‘If I’, created with Greece-based Side Liner, ‘Winter Cowboy’ tips from electronic stylings to a soothing dream pop sound laced with dark pop sensibilities. Interestingly, while a synth presence can be heard in ‘Winter Cowboy’, it is the classical piano that shines in the arrangement. Heartwarming but haunting with flits from jazz to pop and classic piano, we are taken on a rollercoaster of emotion in a seemingly simplistic acoustic wrapper.
Recorded and produced with Tony White, Frank Joshua’s ‘Winter Cowboy’ has a sophisticated flow to the melody; however, a sense of ethereal vulnerability lingers in the song. Soft and soothing, the piano contributes toward a cinematic soundscape, but rugged terrain brings it all back into a fragile box of complex emotions. With a delicate flair, Joshua’s hushed vocals peep out amidst the instruments like a sliver of light carefully shining on an obscure wasteland.
One element I find constant in all of Joshua’s songs is the dulcet vocals. Soft and sincere but hiding a wave of raw emotion, there is so much more hidden behind the quiet tones. Although Joshua believes song interpretation is subjective, ‘Winter Cowboy’ taps into the theme of loneliness. An isolation and yearning for something greater in life. The single has the warmth of a comforting existence; however, the barebones execution leans toward a disconcerting depth of despair.
Created with independent filmmaker Diego Monfredini and Whitelight Production, Frank Joshua released a music video for ‘Winter Cowboy’. You can view the video below or via his YouTube channel. Please note this video contains lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED
Find out more about Frank Joshua on his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Discover more dream pop tracks on The Other Side Reviews Dream Pop playlist:
