Inside Room 17 is a memorable debut for Shane Revers, a Milan, Italy-based singer-songwriter who succeeds with a compelling mixture of confessional-laden pop and folk. The productions navigate nostalgia and resilience with stripped-back arrangements, blending soft textures and melodic honesty into a deeply personal, vulnerable exploration.
Opening the EP with a consuming sense of expanse, “Dear” traverses from twangy acoustics into a layered, jangling charm. “My heart returned to the town where it comes from,” Revers’ soaring, introspective vocals let out. “Where it sat for awhile.” The vulnerable state of nostalgia, parts warming and parts heart-aching, is palpable in its retrospective drive and culminating “my dear Cecilia, it’s been a long time” uptick in emotion.
The ensuing “As Life Goes On” stirs in its mixture of acoustics and twangy emotion, as well. “We’re hurting deeply inside,” Revers’ vocals delight, again embracing vulnerability in the “we cry so many tears” admissions — and hopeful in its “getting better” acknowledgements as life progresses, and one moves on from the past and into brighter waters.
Another highlight, “Blue” struts a McCartney-esque folk-pop progression amidst “is it the way I am?” self-analysis and a “I feel blue” outpouring. EP finale “Stay” also excels, playing as a piano-led ballad — its “I’m a mess” and “gotta work it out” interplay showing perseverance and vigor, even when self-doubt peeks forth. Its title-referencing chorus is blissful, playing as amongst the EP’s most melodic moments. Inside Room 17 is an immersive, melodic listening experience from Shane Revers.
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“White Flag” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
