John Deering is back with another fine piece of sonic artistry that will unquestionably appeal to anyone who appreciates wisely assembled and expertly performed music. Known for his incredible songwriting, composing, arranging, and producing abilities, Deering has once again teamed up with Ryan Smith of Soul Asylum and Peter Anderson of Run Westy Run for another excellent showcase of their collective abilities. “Slow Dance,” his fourth single in a row, showcases all the qualities of the seasoned singer-songwriter. Inspired by the greats such as the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam, this particular composition brings some of the finest sonic maneuvers and ideas to the table, and it will immediately resonate with even the pickiest rock fans. Although inspired by so many bands, John Deering manages to shine with all those signature moves showcased through “Gotta Get Away,” “Groove, Groove, Groove,” and “Strip Mall Jesus,” his previous works that gathered so many positive critics from the media. That’s the case with “Slow Dance” as well. Maybe it is inspired by the mentioned bands, but it certainly shines with the qualities that made John Deering such an exceptional artist. By blending the fundamental elements of alternative, grunge, art rock, indie rock, classic rock, and rock ‘n’ roll, and with the tremendous help of Ryan Smith during songwriting and composing this track, Deering delivers one of the finest rock songs you’ll hear this year. This level of quality and dedication to the craft is rarely heard or seen nowadays, and John Deering sets the bar high for anyone who wants and tries to bring fresh, unique, innovative, exciting rock music to the table.
From the onset, it becomes more than obvious that this formation operates as a singular, unstoppable sonic machinery. With Deering on vocals and guitars, Smith on bass, and Anderson on drums, every vocal harmony, chord progression, bassline, and beat sounds fascinating. The guitars shine in the limelight here, delivering catchy, memorable, engaging chord progression with such precision and finesse. These guitar works act as a backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon. Perhaps their structure resonates with the fundamental elements of classic rock music, but it seems like they’ve been inspired by the seventies post-punk, art-rock, and garage scene. You’ll also notice how the nineties alternative and grunge movement inspired these orchestrations, as there are some moments where you’ll hear how that particular era inspired these experienced musicans to craft such an incredible composition. The usage of acoustic guitar brings a calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal ambiance into this sonic equation, while the additional leads delivered on the electric guitar shine towards the end of the song. These combinations suit the song structure and the ambiance so well that you’ll gladly spin this masterpiece over and over again. You’ll also hear minimal yet effective synth leads working harmoniously with guitars. Beneath all these excellent guitar works lies a rock-solid foundation brought by Ryan Smith. His intricate, vividly hearable, intricate, warm-sounding basslines rumble beneath, perfectly pairing with Deering’s chord progressions, delivering more groove, depth, and clarity while binding guitars with rhytmic patterns. In the meantime, Peter Anderson’s exceptional drumming, based upon tastefully assembled, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated, moderate beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics, keeps everything in line while dictating groove and pace. Of course, John Deers emotive, soulful, passionate, sincere, confident vocal performance elevates “Slow Dance” to new heights, commands attention, and guides listeners from scratch to finish. You’ll also notice the additional vocal layers and back vocals that give a more anthemic vibe. Each element contributes to the ambiance, making “Slow Dance” such an incredible piece worth spinning over and over again.
John Deering and the crew have crafted another rock masterpiece that brings the finest qualities of the genre. With their tremendous experience, knowledge, ideas, and marvelous musicianship, they once again proved that rock music still has to offer. “Slow Dance” is a fascinating track that will immediately end up as one of your favorites this year. With catchy vocal harmonies, mesmerizing chord progressions, intricate basslines, and perfect drumming, it contains everything you ever needed from a rock song. Therefore, head to your favorite streaming platform and check it out.
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