Silas Armstrong – I’m Not Ok (2022)
A regular feature on The Other Side Reviews, UK-based Silas Armstrong brings us (and you) a unique, eclectic type of music. Describing his music as “emotional pop with the energy of my upbringing”, Armstrong blends elements of soul, rock, indie, pop, jazz and house in his sound. Already a music veteran, this naturally talented musician has performed with indie-rock band Kid Champion, played with indie artist Rocky Nti on the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury, supported Panic At The Disco! on their European Tour, and even worked alongside iconic artists like Tom Walker, The Wombats and Rick Astley. While Silas Armstrong has a great deal of experience in the industry, it is his solo project we are looking at. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘I’m Not Ok’.
Hot on the heels of his upbeat track ‘Silver’, Armstrong adopts a more poignant sound in ‘I’m Not Ok’. Retaining a sense of commercial pop in the tune, the new single might be held in the pop genre; however, the inclusion of various musical styles makes it difficult to pigeonhole. Opening as a soft, sincere and smooth indie meets pop ballad, one can begin swaying along to the tune immediately. The thing is, as the song progresses from soft and tender to a harder, gruff and harsh rock side with its heavy guitar riffs. Rich and full-bodied, the melodic arrangement is perfectly textured with Armstrong’s warm vocals carried atop bold instrumentation.
What I enjoy about Silas Armstrong is not only his eclectic sound but how the music superbly captures the emotion behind its theme. ‘I’m Not Ok’ is a significant song touching on mental health. The movement from tender and gentle to gruff, raw and pounding captures the sense of “feeling alright” and then having difficult thoughts take over your mind. Armstrong noted that ‘I’m Not OK’ is a “serious song about mental health issues and depression. I hope this song helps people who feel the same way I did when I wrote it…”
For more from Silas Armstrong check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
