"Paradise Is Burning" by Robert James Grey
Review
Having enjoyed Robert James Grey exploding back onto the scene with scintillating singles "This Town" and "All Through Space" followed by seeing him on top live form at The Tin, it seemed that his star was back in the ascendant. The latter also appears on ‘Hot Music Live Presents Volume Fifteen' and I gather the excellent streaming numbers via that platform are exceeded on others.
Despite such success, that didn't necessarily mean that we could see was that he was hurting inside: particularly at the world around him which he was observing.
So what has he done about it? Well you might think I'm about to tell you that he's written a song to help him work through it all. However he fortunately had the right song already written & has switched his release schedule up to bring "Paradise Is Burning" out sooner rather than later.
Describing it as "moodier" than his previous two singles (I take his point), ultimately it is in the same optimistic zone. Robert zooms in on the refrain "nothing's really over; everything regrows" as the key take away for us. In fact it's his current personal mantra.
What the world needs more of are big hearted individuals of this ilk who can take the big & the long view. I'm not sure I could, on my own, be this forgiving.
If you are trying to convey the big emotions: compassion, distress, hope etc (to focus on this song) then having the talents Robert possesses is certainly helpful. An acute melodic skill which excels in the minor and a voice which touches on the ethereal are among those & are ones I've mentioned previously. I probably haven't credited his way with words though & so thankfully I get a chance here.