James Spencer – If (2024)
Inspired by life in its totality, singer-songwriter James Spencer aims to capture the core of human experiences in his moving music. Since 2015, Spencer has shared his tales of love, loss and life with the masses. Performing as part of the popular duo Bicycle Repair Man, he draws on various genres ranging from pop, rock and folk. Tinged by Frank Turner and Mumford & Sons, his full band The Wreckers entertain audiences for miles around. Yet, it is his solo project we take a gander at. In 2019, he released his critically acclaimed debut album Shine The Light, followed by well-received singles ‘The Winds of Change’, ‘Lucky Man’, ‘Why Are We Fighting’, ‘Black Dog’ and ‘My Hand & My Heart’. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘If’.
Turning heads across the globe, Spencer follows his track ‘Your Ship’s Coming In’ with the folk-inspired single ‘If’. Shifting from an Americana meets folk rock tone, Spencer presents a smoother, soothing and gentler melody with ‘If’. Interestingly, the style of the single eloquently encapsulates the tenderness of the song’s theme – “the awkward part of a romantic courtship….” As I mentioned, Spencer connects with his relatable themes, lyrics and melodies; ‘If’ is another track exploring the rawer aspects of life.
Featuring the warm vocals of Sound Of The Sirens’ Abbe Martin, ‘If’ unfolds like a reflective love letter. The richness of female and male vocals engage a conversational tune with each individual sharing their thoughts in this moving experience. Yet, while the dulcet vocals are mystifying, it is the instrumentation that sends chills down your spine.
Adopting an acoustic approach, the simplistic ballad incorporates acoustic guitar with a folk-inspired flutter. Interestingly, while the simple guitar grabs your attention, it is the interspersed strings that up the ante. From simplistic and minimalistic to a kaleidoscopic swoon of sound, a symphonic gem emerges from James Spencer’s ‘If’.
In addition to the single, James Spencer released an AI-generated music video for ‘If’. You can view the video below or on his official YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Find out more about James Spencer on his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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