Setting the tone with rolling drums, a dimensional bassline, intricate yet syncopated percussion, melodic keys, and an overarching contemporary jazz energy, Ruud Voesten opens Clickbait Merchants with intrigue, and a unique charismatic flair – needless to say, we are obsessed.
The opus expands with a playful, and somewhat subversive tenor and alto saxophone performances, which weave together to create a cohesive and astral tapestry of sound.
Speaking on the philosophical concept of the release, Ruud Voesten confesses, “Clickbait Merchants is inspired by the ring of fraud, specifically dealing with professions which harvest our attention by misleading headlines (clickbait). By using misleading, false and provocative words they capitalize on our emotions to sell advertising.”
We deeply connect with the journey that composition takes us on, and the instrumental mastery demonstrated by the performers. Clickbait Merchants features Mo van der Does on alto saxophone, Wietse Voermans performing tenor saxophone, Koen Schalkwijk on grand piano,
whilst Tijs Klaassen performs double bass, and Ruud Voesten delivers drums and composition! The track was recorded and mixed by Micha de Kanter, with mastering by Wessel Oltheten.
For some back story, we learn that Ruud Voesten was inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Inferno to self reflect on the concept of sin, which he subsequently applied to this composition! The visionary creator tells us, “This is about how media use provocative language in headlines to capture our attention. Dark harmony, aggitated melodies, furious rhythm.”
We love the thought-provoking adventure that Ruud Voesten takes us on, and have added Clickbait Merchants to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Ruud Voesten‘s wider discography, including GVR, Phoenix, and Logan.