A jangly rock charm envelops on “Time25,” a recent track from New York-based artist Michael Wu. The release is a strong debut from his output as a solo singer-songwriter, following success in playing with other bands like Gunpoets and Front & Main. Drawing from inspirations like R.E.M., Jason Falkner, and Death Cab for Cutie, Wu’s aesthetic stirs in its punchy, jangly immediacy — melding cohesively with an introspective lyrical vigor.
Lyrical ruminations on time, and alternating tendencies of wanting it to pass quickly or linger forever depending on the moment, excel amidst a climactic overall sound. Initial guitar trickling moves into pulsing chords, and then Wu’s melodic vocal delivery. The mid-point’s “what is mine” segment is especially enveloping, with multiple vocal layers and chiming guitars bolstering with an amiable power-pop component, before the ardent rock theatrics return. “Time25” is a stirring success from Michael Wu, whose upcoming material we’re now certainly anticipating.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
