"I Want You" by The Rising

I am pleased to report that despite all the obstacles being placed in their way since their decision to launch a single a month in 2020, The Rising are keeping to their schedule to the best of their capacity (any slight slippage is certainly not down to them) and today sees the release of "I Want You" which they were fortunate enough to be in a position to record at home. If you tune into their Facebook page, you can join them at 7 pm today for a virtual launch party.

This is their first single in the series since the astounding "Shadows on the Wall" in May: a diversion from their customary more feel good country orientated pop with its subject of child abuse, based on a true story. This one instead lies in the same warm summery vibe category as last August's "Endless Summer" (like "Shadows on the Wall" reviewed in "Hot Music Live").

In suggesting that this might be a reversion to a lighter "normal" style, I should not want to give the impression that I feel that their last single represents some unique "one off" in their repertoire. "Difficult" questions are raised from time to time within their work & lord knows country music has some very dark songs: tragedy is rarely far from the surface. That Chris Logan & Chantelle McAteer's immediate instinct is to entertain is to their credit & I recognise & respect how skilfully they do handle adult themes: not sugar coating them with their melodic approach to playing & singing, but representing them as part of life's rich tapestry: subtle but keen points. "Shadows on the Wall" therefore is, in my mind, just one end of the spectrum of what the Rising are capable of: an extremity perhaps but they are clearly not setting off on their career with any other intention than offering a diversity of material & themes.

That said, "I Want You" is pretty much at the opposite end of said spectrum & clearly aimed, like "Endless Summer", at capturing the vibe we'd normally expect at this time of the year. They can hardly be blamed for the circumstances which have overtaken us all, and if the situation is strange this year, what's wrong with evoking summers past & hopefully future?

Much of this effect come from Chantelle's soaring vocals which lift us up along with the words (a word here for the tastefulness of her singing: while technically very capable with a strong & inventive tone, she never indulges in self indulgent theatrics nor in trying to impress us: she sings to the meaning of the song & this adds to the sense of authenticity & truth. She even adds some giggling to fit in with the character she is adopting). The rest comes from Chris' equivalent levels of skill in the studio which has resulted in the very full sound including the full range of instruments you'd expect plus brass (or what sounds like brass at any rate).

Good humour is the overall feel of this single & while no-one can doubt the sincerity of what Chantelle's central message is, she is perfectly happy to stick her tongue inside her cheek occasionally in expressing it.

Summer 2020 is a weird one & if you don't get to do what you usually do or what you'd like to do, have a listen to "I Want You" and imagine that you are.