By his own words, “This track is what you get when you cross the film There Will Be Blood with Johnny Cash“. That description sums up Oil!, the new single from Scott Swain perfectly; its flavouring and emotive atmosphere encapsulated in those few words and living up to hopes equally raised by such a suggestion. The song is a swarthy slice of melodic rock within a country/mariachi spiced cinematic climate of suggestiveness which swiftly captures attention and imagination.
Having played in bands for almost a decade, supporting Biffy Clyro among the highlights, Swain decided to explore his solo side when his main bands, How to Dress a Monster and Fire at Night, took breathers earlier this year. Drawing on inspirations ranging from Elliot Smith and Mark Lanagan to cult cinema, he soon ventured onto the live scene with just his voice and acoustic guitar. As Oil! shows, in the studio Swain expands his sound and emotive adventure with the help of others but without losing that organic raw character and texture luring increasing praise.
Inspired by There Will be Blood, with Swain lyrically examining “the relationship between wanting to be ambitious and the things which can be sacrificed in the process”, Oil! is a natural seduction of ears and thought. From its first melodic strum and metronomic lure of beats it has ears gripped, ambling in with purpose before hitting an even eager stride as guitars and bass unite around warm harmonies. The country kissed twang of guitar and melodies hold a myriad of pictures for the imagination to conjure while feet and hips are employed by the gentle but keen swagger of the infection loaded song and its lively gait.
Managing to smoulder in emotion and atmosphere while providing a tenacious canter to get involved in, the song is pure magnetism which lingers long after taking its leave and increasingly impresses with subsequent listens.
Oil! is out now via iTunes, Spotify etc.
Upcoming Live Dates:
06.12.2016 Apples and Pear Bar, Brick Lane. London
14.12.2016 Fu Manchu Bar, Clapham. London.
22.12.2016 The Bricklayers, Hitchin.
http://scottswainmusic.com/ https://www.facebook.com/scottswainmusic
https://twitter.com/scottswainmusic
Check out the video for Hitman from Scott Swain @ https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/video-selector/
Pete RingMaster 29/11/2016
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