FAKE SUEDE‘s funky pop delight “Speak Up” explores the moment when a situationship demands definition, pairing soulful vocals with mellow guitars, lush harmonies, and a funky groove. The project is the brainchild of songwriter and vocalist Jeffrey James, a Nashville-to-LA-based artist blending neo-soul, classic Motown, modern indie rock, and bedroom pop.
Commencing the track, a soulful vocal captivation pairs with mellow acoustic guitars and lush rhythms. “Like a wall, like a rift, we pretend don’t exist,” James sings, entering the track’s thematic ethos as gorgeous backing harmonies emerge with reflective allure. “This living in-between, was perfect for a time, but soon the dam will break, if we do not define,” his resonant vocals continue, epitomizing a period that most relationships confront, at a crossroads between casual adoration and full-on love.
“And if you want to, say you do,” his voice continues to enthrall, beckoning for a beloved to showcase their commitment and requited feelings. Themes of clarity and expression highlight how difficult some relationships are to articulate, which is understandable in the early days, though capable of a dam-breaking effect as time progresses. A funky bass drive, suave guitar licks, and soulfully layered harmonic entrancement lead a tour-de-force production from FAKE SUEDE.
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This 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.
