roman around – “Rhythm”

photo by Ker

A break-up song with post-punk yearning and climatic build-ups, “Rhythm” comes from roman around, the Fresno-based project of drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher Roman Rivera. The non-binary, pansexual, Native & Mexican American artist has drawn acclaim for their first three singles — “Star Signs,” “DNT,” and “Like Me More,” — and follows those up with “Rhythm.”

Twinkling keys and hypnotic bird-chirping around the 02:30 mark ascends into a rock-forward fervency that consumes. The track’s first half navigates lushly and inconspicuously, designed enjoyably as a build-up to this psych-rock thumping. “Rhythm” engages with its convincing structural rise and serenely intoxicating production.

Rivera elaborates on the track’s inspiration, below:

“Rhythm” is a story of the tragic loss of my animal friend, Rhythm. Rhythm was my pup who I had for a couple of months. He had a disability that made him walk funny and emotionally extreme. He passed away in my arms suddenly and tragically. Rhythm was not the first animal I watched pass, so this song is a memorial to all my animal friends. Our pets feel like family. Our pet relationships and the way we cherish them should be celebrated.

Check out the track’s music video:

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This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of July 2022’ Spotify playlist.