Artist Spotlight

ReeToxA finds beauty in silence and heartbreak on “Call”

In “Call,” the noise cycle is slowed down by ReeToxA to uncover a long gaze that aches with longing and memory recall. Famed for its ebullient sound, here the band stays at a remove, making way for tenderness to claim center stage.

The song is the closing track on ReeToxA’s first LP, and though listeners today may overlook it in the streaming age, “Call” is that delicate gem that deserves to shine brightly. It becomes that familiar ache of checking your phone one last time, fully aware it’s not going to ring.

Penned by Jason McKee following a chance encounter with an old flame, “Call” is a tale of reconnecting and then losing touch once more. A brief weekend sojourn to the sunny Gold Coast turned into a bittersweet reminder of the notions of love. And there, sitting in Brisbane Airport, waiting for what turned out to be a message that never came, Jason transformed his heartbreak into art, a request for closure packaged with melody.

“Call” is a song that captures the stillness after heartbreak when the world around you is loud, but your tender heart is whispering what might have been. It is a gorgeous and unforgettable record, a mournful reminder that some of our time’s most significant moments come when we listen to the quietest songs.

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Artist Spotlight

Gus Ormo finds a gentle balance of sound on latest release “Claroscuro (APAPE)”

Gus Ormo‘s latest release, “Claroscuro (APAPE),” is an instrumental piece built from a carefully selected set of sounds. Clean shakers, piano, bass, trumpet, flutes, acoustic guitars, drums, lead guitar, and tambs make up the track. The vocal element is absent from the foreground; the instruments themselves establish the piece’s character.

The arrangement shows the contrast of its different textures. Bass and piano provide the grounding, with trumpet and flutes supplying the melodic color. Congas, drums, and shakers provide percussion, while the acoustic and lead guitars enrich the instrumental palette. These elements are incorporated into the song’s somber mood, but it remains mostly soft and emotion-driven.

What appeals to “Claroscuro (APAPE)” is its dedication to an instrumental expression that is soft on the heart. It’s not the words that convey the mood; it’s the instruments. Gus Ormo combines strings of rhythm, melody, and texture to produce a piece that sounds deliberately restrained, and each section contributes to the overall musical picture.

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Artist Spotlight

Gus Ormo brings warmth and tenderness on latest release “Latidos”

Gus Ormo’s latest release, “Latidos,” is an instrumental, so it must rely on its musicianship to carry the emotional weight. Instead of a vocal to guide the listener, the arrangement features clean shakers, piano, bass, trumpet, flutes, acoustic guitars, drums, lead guitar, and tambs. The combination is a well-layered musical setting, with a somber character and a soft approach to the heart.

The piano and guitars add important touches to the arrangement, the trumpet and flutes add more color. Percussion, congas, drums, and clean shakers add movement but don’t detract from the gentle nature of the track. The bass anchors the song, while the lead and acoustic guitars provide an additional layer to the instrumental mix.

What sets “Latidos” apart is the quiet emotional intent. Instead of singing of its feeling, the piece creates a solemn and tender atmosphere with its collection of instruments. Still, Gus Ormo’s method stresses the connection between the instruments. It is an instrumental piece that should touch the heart with softness and not in excess.

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