Exuding a soulful vein of breezy pop enamoring, Sing Louder, Dance Faster is the new album from Amsterdam-based artist Gerco Aerts. The release has an abundance of highlights, kicking off with the tender lushness of “Bow Down to the Hoodoo Man.” Bouncy keys and jazzy guitars find accompaniment in a riveting string-laden chill, complementing bluesy guitar tones and Reed Pittman’s smooth-as-butter vocals. “Cause You’re Mine” and “And Then It Rains” also impress with a mellow, twangy mystique, the latter adding a country-touched charm and both featuring the ravishing vocals of Laura Overbeeke.
Gerco Aerts has performed as a bassist in various music ensembles over the past three decades, often in the Americana styling. When the pandemic’s impact in 2020 resulted in the closure of many venues and studios, Gerco Aerts began to record songs they had written throughout the years. Sing Louder, Dance Faster showcases the stellar songwriting and output from that period, featuring a variety of collaborating musicians. Most of the tracks feature a different vocalist, alongside an all-star cast of instrumental players, ranging from guitarists to saxophonists and percussionists.
Additional highlights include the Tom Waits-esque suaveness of “Dance!” — featuring Rachel Hambridge and the previously featured Max Helgemo on vocals — alongside the brisker organ-friendly closer “Repaint the Sky.” Sing Louder, Dance Faster is a stirring success from Gerco Aerts.
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“Bow Down to the Hoodoo Man” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
