George L Cooper - Take Me Down
Take Me down is the new single from up-and-coming artist George L Cooper. This track shows a noticeable improvement in production skill from his previous releases but there is still a very homemade charm to the song.
The intro is a soft guitar outlining beautiful chords, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The finger picking here is intricate and flowing, and compliments the dual vocal lines well. There is a pleasant sense of space in the first verse, with lush reverbs and an open arrangement letting the melody and harmony speak for itself.
The chorus takes the form of a sublime guitar melody, simple and catchy, that is the jewel of the song. The bass here is subtle yet powerful, and gives the impression of a real driving force.
The haunting synth parts in the second verse are almost chilling, and create a dissonance at times that adds magic to the song and keeps the listener involved. The lyric is timeless throughout, and delicate harmonies mean the words are clearly audible which is a nice change from the mumbling heard in much modern music.
In the final verse, the song swells organically to its climax, with clever instrumentation and a mix of electric and acoustic tones inducing a fresh yet familiar feel. The fantastical sounds at the end give the illusion of ascent, until the surreal flourishes and hanging chimes are swiftly cut for a dramatic ending.
This track starts small and pretty, then builds and blooms into a large and beautiful soundscape, all in a 3:30 pop song. It is well worth the listen.
