Excellent news and unhealthy information.

Dangerous information: I’ve been at a report low of my traditional listening exercise (sure, I’m obsessive and preserve observe on Spotistats). My traditional favorites haven’t been hitting, the brand new stuff looks as if it’s been completed earlier than, and a basic malaise has been hanging heavy like a cloud above my Spotify. 

And the great? Effectively, I’ve lastly hit gold: first, the band Rightfield, and particularly one half of its duo, Jack Blocker.

Whereas Rightfield has been in comparison with the 1975 (its indie pop songs actually are, however once they resolve to go punk, I really feel like I’m again at Warped Tour watching 3OH!3), Blocker’s debut solo act is simply as genre-bending and contemporary, reviving my speaker again to life. Taking on the helm of recent grassroots, outlaw nation, and even a touch of jazz, Blocker’s robust vocals assault the lead single, “Massive Jefe,” with pipes that may, relying in your desire, both tear down or elevate the roof:

Friday evening someplace in Arizona
that tequila dadgum put me in a coma
It was one, two, three—I don’t keep in mind 4,
however I completed misplaced my keys and I gotta make it house

I flagged a bus down and I solely paid 1 / 4
Instructed ’em drop my ass anyplace up on the nook,
however I awoke 80 miles by the border
in a blazing mud storm haze

A light-weight, plodding strum intros Blocker’s distinctive, illustrative lyrics, enjoying with rhythm. There are simple first comparisons to make, his voice with an analogous twang and tone of a Tyler Childers, and the storytelling bend basic to a lot of nation, whether or not it’s Johnny Money, Billy Strings, and even the not-so-country however narrative-centered classics of the Beatles’ Paul McCartney, like Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Rocky Raccoon. 

Noticed and previous abuelo strolling to my proper
He took a seat by me, I requested him all politely
the place a man like me might keep a pair nights
and make a dime or two to hitch one other journey

He mentioned, “On this city, you’re pushing otherwise you’re shopping for,
and a boy such as you would possibly rapidly get to dying,
however I would like this kilo gone earlier than tonight;
If you happen to can promote it, I’ll get you paid.”

Blocker performs with the rapscallion persona of a drunken man shedding his approach, in the end being compelled to promote a brick of cocaine to get by, getting into a protracted, marble white hallway of nation classics devoted to cocaine (it’s true!), however performs into the humorous, playful aspect of his bluegrass sound with a story about embracing this new lifetime of crime as “Massive Jefe,” or Massive Boss in Spanish.

I knew, “Hola, señorita,”
and I suppose I knew my identify,
however I by no means knew I used to be a lifeless eye shooter
born to push cocaine

Don’t name me ol’ Johnny spherical these components, honey
‘Trigger every little thing has modified
I’m the blood-spitting, bull-riding, boot-shining, one-eyed pirate
Massive Jefe

Within the coming verses, Blocker regales the viewers of his latest ventures pushing cocaine (with a stunning harmonizing pause on “I can get you excessive, excessive, excessive!“), the place a stellar piano solo preludes us into the blissful conclusion: he finally involves nice success, settling south of Tijuana with an exquisite señorita. The piano that borders the track takes us from the southern edges of Texas to New Orleans for a second, jazzy and vibrant.

As Blocker takes his final refrain on “Massive Jefe,” it’s loud with a golden triumph and a way of pleasure, beaming:

Don’t name me ol’ Johnny spherical these components, honey
‘Trigger every little thing has modified
I’m the blood-spitting, bull-riding,
Boot-shining, hog-tying,
White-lining, bar-fighting,
Two-timing, high-flying,
Truck driving all evening,
Working from the intense gentle,
Sky-diving,
One-eyed pirate
Massive Jefe

From the hovering finish of “Massive Jefe” is a extra basic, gradual acoustic B Aspect, “Ol’ Bobby.” Nonetheless displaying off spectacular songwriting chops—this time extra of a personality profile than a narrative—Blocker shares the values and idiosyncrasies of a mild large, Bobby.

Ol’ Bobby by no means appreciated to put a hand on no one
however he’d certain finish a combat in a single swing
With an arm like an ox and a smile like an previous buddy
who is aware of good and properly what you drink
He lends a cool hand to the idiot who can’t
appear to stroll a straight line or discover peace

Harmonies rise with Blocker within the refrain, the sparse piano additions bluesy in a approach that makes it the proper sing-along bar track. A flickering of metal guitar provides likewise to the sensation of a ballad as Blocker flings the melody up and down with passionate ease and emotion:

Offers a heavy Budweiser to wine-drinking people
when work drags ’em right down to his road
after which a glass of faucet water to melt the blow
when their drunken complexion turns inexperienced

Blocker’s basic philosophy of life comes by way of clearly throughout the 2 songs, an ethical philosophy extra targeted on how an individual treats the folks round them than being the sort to proselytize. Massive Johnny Jefe doesn’t thoughts being a coke supplier, however he certain is grateful for his new lady; Ol’ Bobby will get in a combat, however he solely when it issues. The songs have a refreshing humility and right down to earth realism that really feel extra targeted on the best way we reply to life, reasonably than judging folks instantly on circumstance. What resonates is a lust for all times, a kindness towards strangers, and a go-getter angle that takes benefit of all they will:

Ya he’s smart and he’s powerful,
and he rides along with his pup,
and he earns each dime in his denims

So when you’re the cowboy sort, and wish to dwell life on the sting—however by no means with no little humility—Blocker’s new single’s for you. The lyrics are testimony sufficient, but it surely reveals by way of right down to the trills of his tone: Blocker works for this music, incomes each dime at breakneck pace, and he seems like he’s having a doggone lot of enjoyable doing it, too. Making it within the music scene is all the time a little bit of a hustle, however I can inform Blocker’s acquired the drive.

Like Massive Jefe, ¡sígue así!