As a performer who is aware of his viewers fairly vividly, Davie Simmons wasn’t questioning his inventive instinct when creating the compositional construction of his new single “Visitors Disruptor.” In additional methods than one, the tune is an artistically developed model of the mannequin that he began with again in his first launch.

The mushy rock cues are burned into the hook, the rhythm has a little bit of swing to it – however not sufficient to be thought of generically clubby – and the harmonies are easy, by no means theatrical or laden with bombast. What’s not a lot the identical about “Visitors Disruptor” is the assertiveness of its statements, a lot of which begin not with the lyrics Simmons is singing to us however the melodies that they’re sitting atop. This isn’t only a observe designed to get a message throughout to the viewers – it’s insistent with its moodiness, demanding that we not solely observe what it has to share however that we embrace each final ounce of the emotion behind the phrases and music alike. On this regard, it’s fairly a distinct search for this singer/songwriter, however one I might get used to as a pop fan.

Decadence isn’t usually a pal to the modern pop musician, but it surely’s oddly one thing that Simmons straddles with a bluntly easy stylization in “Visitors Disruptor.” The hook, very like the beat that’s pushing it in opposition to the lyrics within the refrain, could be very forceful and intrusive on the groove, however the guitars are grinding away so laborious with this tempo that it doesn’t really feel sonically overwhelming for even a second.

This lead vocal brings us nearer to the backing band moderately than the opposite method round, which is one thing I didn’t (and, frankly, wouldn’t) anticipate from a solo participant like Davie Simmons, it doesn’t matter what sort of observe he’s producing. It’s an thrilling twist, and his vitality solely makes this groove sound much more intriguing. There’s rebelling from the mainstream mannequin as we all know it after which there’s going a separate path, unbiased of what any development is doing, and I feel it’s protected to say our man is doing the latter on this efficiency.

“Visitors Disruptor” is certainly a classy single like the various others in Davie Simmons’ bigger physique of labor, but it surely’s not an excessive amount of for the informal listener, and even the beginner to his discography, to take a peek at this December. Simmons doesn’t simply know his viewers, however he is aware of his limits and the place he’s in a position to check himself in a protected, reassuring method for his longtime listeners, which is why I don’t assume he’s at risk of biting off greater than he can chew, a minimum of not for the foreseeable future. His studio work has been markedly extra disciplined than lots of his friends within the Celtic crossover underground and past, and although I feel he’s nonetheless changing into an entire and well-rounded artist, his sound and total perspective are positively in a league of their very own in the intervening time.

Mindy McCall