A soulful production with heartfelt vocal layers, suave piano, and tender guitar-laden affections, “Sweet Tea” is another standout track from RIMENY. The alt-pop project of Zak Engel caught our ears with the nostalgic, smitten qualities of previous single “Matt” and now continues to excel here with the lovely, atmospheric pop stirrer “Sweet Tea.”
Coming ahead of RIMENY’s debut album, out in the coming months, “Sweet Tea” excels with cohesive alternations between understated vocal lushness and more expressive soulfulness, apparent in the title-touting charm: “I’ll drink sweet tea, if you’ll drink with me.” Enthused vocal layers punctuate that central hook, then navigating seamlessly into the debonair “tell me, what are you gonna do? tell me, what are you looking for?” sequence. The smoothly inviting track appeals in its laid-back atmosphere and easy-going melodic allure.
Engel explains that the track evolved from more abstract lyrics — like the “what are you gonna do?” line — into something more specific and meaningful. “‘Sweet Tea’ then became a metaphorical song about my wife, how we communicate, and our emotional routines,” he says. “‘Sweet Tea’ is a lot of things—we share it when we meet each other, usually at the end of the day.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
