Track of the Day: Russ Nelson – 5 AM (2024)
Influenced by acts like Nirvana, The Pixies and Goo Goo Dolls, Russ Nelson breathes life into 90s alternative rock. In fact, if you listen to Nelson’s discography, you may call him the younger brother of Billy Joe Armstrong, although a slick of Nirvana shimmers across his repertoire. Perhaps his best friend is Kurt Cobain? Either way, the US-based singer-songwriter captures the core of 90s rock in his powerful melodies.
Inspired by life in all its glory, Russ Nelson explores the highs and lows of humanity in his music. Following the singles ‘Crap of the World’ and ‘The Villian’, he saunters into 2024 with the new track ‘5 AM’. Yet, while a strong leaning toward alternative rock meets pop-rock exists in the single, it is immersed in a flood of grunge. Stabs of Green Day flush beneath a darker Nirvana-esque design as Nelson finds an all-encompassing surge of 90s rock in all its forms.
As a one-man band, Nelson undertakes all elements of production using a DIY ethic. While sophistication does linger in the arrangement, an innocent grittiness vibrates in the overall melody. Interestingly, while there is an individual prominence to the pounding drums and searching guitars, each aspect comes together in a harmonic symphony – however rough the symphony may be. Moreover, the track is well-produced as a studio release but a live rawness flows adding a vulnerable authenticity to ‘5 AM’.
‘5 AM’ is, for me at least, a perfect expression of its complex theme. On the surface, there is a dark, grimy tone licking at human fragility and turmoil, but beneath the surface, it is a track of empowerment, optimism and hope. Nelson explains:
“This track is a fusion of soulful melodies and thought-provoking lyrics exploring themes of existentialism, self-discovery, and the raw beauty of introspection. With a deep reverence for Eliot’s ‘The Hollow Men’, this composition weaves together the poet’s profound wisdom with the artist’s personal experiences… As the track unfolds, listeners are invited to embark on a transformative journey delving into the shadows of the human condition while embracing the light of self-realisation.”
Find out more about Russ Nelson on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more alternative rock tunes on The Other Side Reviews Alternative Rock playlist:
