English-born, Nashville-based artist Chris Roach stirs with a dynamic stylistic pull across two recent tracks — achieving a vibrantly approachable folk-pop sound on “The Face of Hope,” while the newly released “The World’s a Match and He’s Dynamite” struts a more pulsing rock infectiousness.
Released this past September, “The Face of Hope” is described by Roach as “a song about overcoming self doubt.” Peppy wordless vocal harmonies combine with sturdy strums and thumping rhythms, while introspective lyrics ruminate on unnecessary labels and “believing in myself again” following conflict. “Chasing the wonder, into the wild,” the starry-eyed qualities continue, persevering in that no mountain is too high, and no challenge too insurmountable. It’s a hopeful, shimmering gem with plenty of replay-inducing appeal.
The more recent “The World’s a Match and He’s Dynamite” is more ardent and character-driven, portraying “an unhinged man with a temper you don’t want to trigger,” per Roach. Shades of Last Shadow Puppets show in the string-laden grandiosity and debonair vocal tone. The “don’t you play with fire” bridge consumes, especially, into another “dynamite” hook. The track, inspired by Frank Grillo’s portrayal of Rick Flag Sr., is another definitive success from Chris Roach.
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These and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
