Ruiz! – Please Baby Please (2021)
Bringing together post-punk, psychedelic-rock and hints of indie-rock, Ruiz! is the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Hugo Ruiz. Using a home-based, DIY approach to music, this Sheffield-based singer-songwriter has an eclectic, innovative and truly unique sound. Beginning as a bass player for The Only Fruit, but then joining A.F.I.D. a couple of years later, Ruiz has performed throughout the UK and Spain building a loyal following. As a solo artist, he has featured in NME, The Guardian, Uncut, Louder Than War, RGM and FV Music Blog, as well as several online radio stations. The latest addition to his discography is the experimental single ‘Please Baby Please’.
Penned during the “Corona Era”, also known as 2020, ‘Please Baby Please’ is the second self-produced single from Ruiz! Moving from the jangle-pop sound of ‘Morning’, ‘Please Baby Please’ is far more synth-laden with a darker, edgier post-punk design. Reminiscent of The Cure with touches of Joy Division, the track has something of the gothic about it with a grittiness that resonates in the depth of your soul.
What I find particularly interesting about ‘Please Baby Please’, other than the genre-defying melodic obscurity, is the brusque vocals. While considered monotone, the dullness appeals to the gloomier side of one’s mind. Exposing vulnerability and raw honesty, Ruiz! finds the cusp of post-punk morbidity and insightful fragility. It’s weird, but I love it all the same!
For more from Ruiz! check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and Spotify.
