4fro Nick – Don’t Waste My Time (LA mix)

Have you ever wondered how artists created particular pieces of work? Where do they get all those ideas that eventually end up in the finished product? What process did they go through while perfecting their craft? How was the songwriting, composing, and recording process? These are all the questions some of us ask when listening to music that has left a lasting impact on us. In the case of Nick Anastasakis, the journey was so interesting and fascinating that it’s no wonder why his music sounds so catchy, memorable, and captivating. Born in Greece on the island of Crete, perfected his art in New York and then found his base in Los Angeles, his trajectory has been as exciting as his music, leaving a mark on every vocal line, guitar and synth work, bassline, and beat. It’s a life distilled into colorful, impactful, mesmerizing music illustrated by his tremendous experience, knowledge, skills, talent, and creativity. Under his moniker, 4fro Nick, he released a sort of travelogue consisting of two exceptional compositions that perfectly describe his dedication to crafting beautiful soundscapes. “Don’t Waste My Time (LA mix),” released today on all streaming platforms and as a 7” record, carries a title track on the A-side, and “Get There Before Noon” on the B-side, is an emotional and sonic rollercoaster through aesthetics built upon several different yet complementary music genres. Perhaps his music dominantly shines with an alternative rock sound, as the artist and his accompanying band incorporated all the fundamental elements of this genre into each segment, but do not be surprised if you stumble upon some of the finest properties borrowed from psychedelic rock, groove, funk, synth, indie, classic rock, cinematic ambient, and other similar styles along the way. It’s a comprehensive collection of various genres, yes, but it is so carefully assembled together. It’s nearly mindblowing how these additional sonic ingredients articulate together without spoiling each other, proving that 4fro Nick is an outstanding songwriter, composer, and producer whose ideas and musicianship stand out from anything you could possibly hear on a contemporary music scene. On top of all of that, his music feels so timeless. Yes, you’ll notice how his songwriting was affected by so many signifiant eras for the mentioned music genres, ranging from the seventies psych and classic rock, seventies and eighties progressive rock, sixties and seventies groove and funk, nineties alternative rock, but in the end, everything is so thoughtfully wrapped in a 4fro Nick’s signature sound that also meets many qualities of the modern music production.

“Don’t Waste My Time” exemplifies how all those styles, when assembled properly, can result in such a mesmerizing, groovy, psych atmosphere. It’s one of those songs that rewards repeated listens, mainly because each instrument has its own flow, its personal signature moves, a dedicated space where those articulations does not spoil the remainder of the orchestrations. The most important thing about it is how they all merge together, creating that luxuriant and intricate ambiance where every vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuver is a treat for your ears. Nick Anastasakis’s vocal performance guides you through this expansive sonic universe by keeping your attention focused on what’s happening in the mix. His soulful, passionate, sincere, confident, and powerful vocal performance not only serves as a guide that leads you through each segment, moment, and orchestration, but also provides more than necessary emotional depth and complexity to an already intricate song structure. He expertly navigates low, mid, and high notes with such precision and finesse, commanding attention and acting as the centerpiece of the song while the instruments float around. Speaking of the instruments, there are plenty of them in the mix. You’ll hear how all those synth sequences and themes perfectly merge with the nearly funky chord progressions, creating a captivating psychedelic ambiance that suits Nick Anastasakis’s voice flawlessly. And besides all of that, there are multiple layers of synths and guitars, added for some more flavor, depth, and complexity. The best part about it is how they do not spoil the rhythm section, which in this case, delivers more than necessary clarity, depth, and heaviness through basslines and groove, detail, and dynamics through tastefully assembled beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. Maybe “Get There Before Noon” leans towards psych-rock waters, but it carries a different flow, vibe, and ambiance. It’s slightly slower, but it’s certainly more soulful in terms of vocal performance and guitar work. The synth sequences are still as complex as on the previous songs, but more subtle, with more ambient pads included along the way. The guitar articulates in an entirely different space during the verses, but it truly shines during the choruses. You’ll also notice how the guitar and various accentuations elevate everything to new heights. In the meantime, Nick Anastasakis’s voice makes things even more interesting by providing the additional melody and harmony through a beautiful, soulful vocal performance. His voice perfectly suits all the orchestrations, and sometimes, you’ll get the feeling like they’ve merged together into one, unified, colossal wall of harmonious sound. Throughout the entire composition, the rhyhtm section seems more calm, soothing, and relaxing, but with slightly heavier snare and kick sounds, while the hi-hats accentuate everything with such finesse. These rhyhtmic patterns seem more tribalistic, addictive, hypnotic, inviting you to dance. Paired with equally impressive basslines, which deliver more melody and groove, the entire rhythm section sounds so relaxing yet heavy and commanding. Each instrument has its place and purpose here, making both songs catchy, memorable, captivating, and worth spinning over and over again.

4fro Nick’s music is an otherworldly psychedelic experience that immediately transports you into a completely different dimension. It’s an ear-appealing voyage through the uncharted sonic territories built upon beautiful vocal harmonies, lush synth and guitar works, intricate basslines, and groovy beats. “Don’t Waste My Time (LA mix)” is an exceptional extended play release that not only showcases the trajectory of 4fro Nick but also demonstrates how clever, wise, and outstanding a songwriter and musician he is. If you’re looking for music that will immediately transport you into a completely different universe, then you should immediately check out “Don’t Waste My Time (LA mix).”