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It only feels appropriate as we enter the month of Movember that one of the best ‘taches in the business would drop a new track. Cleopold‘s debut single Down In Flames was a breakup tune under the guise of a boppy summer jam, and he follows through on those sentiments with his second single Scarlet.
With one of the best mo’s in the business, Cleopold proves his first single wasn’t a fluke with his follow up Scarlet, a great happy-sad jam.
Cleopold has become a big name artist over the last year, what with his contributions to lending his soothing vocals to Miami Horror‘s Love Like Mine and Cassian‘s Running. Not to mention he’s collaborated with dance music heroes Bag Raiders and scoring films for directors like Roman Coppola while he’s based out in LA. With his debut EP set for a release sometime early next year through Chet Faker‘s label Detail Co., new single Scarlet is a delicious amalgamation of funk and blues songwriting.
Now the funk sound makes sense, but the blues? Put down your pitchforks purists, I have my reasons. Recently City and Colour frontman Dallas Green defended Kendrick Lamar’s place as a Bluesfest headliner, saying the rapper was a blues artist, he just rapped instead of singing. The blues can present itself in a variety of genres, not just limited a dude plucking away at a Gibson.
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While Scarlet doesn’t wallow in the lonely hearts club, it is a lamentation. “I’ve got a hollow heart and scarlet in my arms / I can’t stand falling madly deep in love,” Cleopold croons. That vocal hook is the anchor of the song, and listening to it makes it pretty clear why he’s such a perfect fit for Detail Co. This is a man at war with his own heart and if you take a moment to think about it it’s actually a little bit of a downer.
Yet composition of the track demands you get off your ass and dance. The chorus-drenched synths punctuate Scarlet while a sneaky electric guitar lurks in the background. Refusing to rest on those laurels alone, Cleoppold pulls from his vast experience and throws in some funky new percussion. It gives new life to the track and a welcome addition, showing off Cleopold’s ability for thoughtful composition. If you’re feeling sad, the best thing to do is get on your feet and move after all.
Scarlet has been out in the digital realm for a couple of days and has mustered an impressive 16k plays. Cleopold’s stock is rising, and it’s high time that you invested in him. You can catch him opening for Chet ‘No Beard’ Faker who kicks off his tour this weekend at the Opera House.
